The European Commission launched a new call for proposal under the European Social Fund + (ESF) titled “Social innovations for a fair green and digital transition (ESF-2022-SOC-INNOV)”. As set out in the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) Action Plan, deep transformations such as climate change, environmental challenges and digitalisation are fast changing our daily lives and are putting Europe’s social fabric to a test. Improving and adapting the EU’s ‘social rulebook’ is at the heart of Europe’s response to these changes, in accordance with the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Digital Agenda. This includes fostering an economy that works for people; investing in education and training, enhancing skills and equipping people for new green and digital jobs; promoting social progress and strengthening social protection; and promoting just transitions and ensuring solidarity between generations, leaving no one behind and providing access to essential services for all. Social innovation and social acceptance are key elements of a successful transformation. The call aims to develop and test integrated and inclusive social innovation approaches – in schools or training centres, at work or in local communities, or other relevant environments – to foster just green and digital transitions, by:
- identifying and addressing (re-/up-)skilling and (re-)training needs stemming from new, green or digital products, services or technologies;
- fostering social acceptance and/or behavioural changes for more sustainable business models, consumption patterns and/or modes of transport;
- developing sustainability pathways and transformation tools for social economy actors;
- tailor solutions to the particular contexts starting from general models, such as the City Doughnut or macro level climate adaptation solutions, to other, business or local environments.
The deadline for applications is the 2nd of August 2022.
For more information, please visit the Commission’s website.
To learn more about current calls for proposals or Eurodiaconia’s funding events, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our our Projects and EU Funding Officer Giorgia Signoretto at giorgia.signoretto@eurodiaconia.org.