The Commission steps up support for Ukraine in combating poverty and homelessness

The Commission welcomes Ukraine in the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), the EU’s main instrument for investing in people. Ukrainian NGOs, public authorities and companies can now apply for ESF+ funding for social projects, such as improving labour market participation and combating poverty and homelessness. The agreement was signed in Rome by Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu, and Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko.

During the Ukraine Recovery Conference on 10 and 11 July, the Commission also announced its commitment to associate Ukraine to the Erasmus+ programme, expanding educational and mobility opportunities for Ukrainian students and teachers. In addition, Erasmus+ will support the distribution of 2 million new textbooks to Ukrainian pupils in the 2025-2026 school year.

Finally, the Commission welcomes the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Ukrainian Ministry of Economy and Ukrainian social partners on 11 July. This aims to strengthen social dialogue, modernise labour laws, enhance social protection and promote gender equality at work in Ukraine.

Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu said: “This was an important week for the future of Ukraine, and social rights and education are at the heart of that future. I commend Ukraine for taking steps to deepen cooperation with the EU in social inclusion, employment and education. By joining the Employment and Social Innovation strand of the European Social Fund, Ukraine can make real progress in social innovation and better support vulnerable people. The memorandum with social partners is also a positive move towards aligning with EU standards and values on social dialogue and labour laws. Finally, I look forward to Ukraine’s association to the Erasmus+ programme, which will broaden the access of Ukrainian learners and teachers to educational and mobility opportunities Erasmus has to offer.”

(For more information: Eva Hrncirova – Tel.: +32 2 298 84 33; Quentin Cortès - Tel.: +32 2 291 32 83)