What is the Call about?
The European Commission and the European Competence Centre for Social Innovation have launched a new transnational call under the ESF+ Social Innovation+ initiative focused on improving labour market access for Roma young people who are not in employment, education or training (Roma NEETs).
The call supports social experimentation projects that test innovative approaches to employment activation through tailored support pathways, stronger stakeholder collaboration and skills development activities.
Projects are expected to combine outreach, employment support, training, mentoring and policy learning activities in order to improve long-term labour market inclusion for Roma youth across Europe.
Why is it important?
Roma young people continue to face significant barriers in accessing employment, education and training opportunities. The call aims to support more inclusive labour market policies and promote innovative solutions that help break cycles of exclusion and poverty.
The initiative places particular emphasis on:
- tailored activation strategies,
- collaboration between public authorities and Roma organisations,
- sustainable employment outcomes,
- and evidence-based policy recommendations.
What activities can be funded?
Projects may include:
- mapping the challenges faced by Roma NEETs,
- developing tailored job pathway models,
- matching participants with employment opportunities,
- training and skills development activities,
- self-employment and entrepreneurship support,
- monitoring and evaluation systems,
- awareness raising and dissemination activities.
Projects are also expected to develop scaling-up strategies that support the transfer and replication of successful approaches.
Who can apply?
Applications must be submitted by transnational consortia involving Roma organisations, public authorities, employment services, NGOs, SMEs, social enterprises, vocational education providers and other labour market actors.
Consortia must involve organisations from at least two eligible countries.
Funding Details
- Programme: ESF+ Social Innovation+
- Call reference: ESF-SI-2026-ROMA NEETs-01
- Project duration: 18–24 months
- Grant size: EUR 800,000 – 2,000,000
- EU co-financing: up to 80%
- Deadline for applications: 30 September 2026, 17:00 CEST
Official Call websites
https://ec.europa.eu/european-social-fund-plus/en/esf-social-innovation