Casa hosts national conference on the future of the European Social Fund

Stakeholders made their voices heard on Friday during a conference on the European Social Fund (ESF), organised by MEP David Casa (EPP), the European Parliament’s co-rapporteur on the file.

The conference brought together European and Maltese political leaders, policy makers, social partners and frontline practitioners, and included interventions from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, PN leader Alex Borg, EU Funds Minister Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, co-rapporteur Marit Maij, and key stakeholders in Malta.

Welcoming guests, Casa underscored the importance of the ESF as the European Union’s primary tool for investing in people, while making the case for the fund to remain a standalone instrument.

“Everyone can benefit from this fund - students, workers, persons with disabilities, those most in need, and even employers. Let us continue working together to strengthen and improve it,” he said.

PN leader Alex Borg stressed the importance of Malta having strong representation in Europe by people who understand the country’s realities and are able to influence decision-making at the highest levels.

He said David Casa’s central role in the negotiations surrounding the future of the fund assures Malta’s interests are safeguarded, adding that this work needed to continue to ensure EU funds become more effective, focused and targeted towards those who need them most.

“We know the challenges are significant. But I choose to see these as opportunities, and I am encouraged by the astounding work that organisations are doing every day to improve people's lives. Let's continue addressing the cost of living, let's continue supporting young people in building their future, let's make sure nobody risks being left behind,” Borg said.

President Metsola stressed the need for the fund to be prepared for new realities by creating more opportunities and ensuring that no one is left behind.

She said communities were always at the centre of the European Parliament’s decisions and the ESF represented the continuous effort needed for society to continue progressing.

President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca noted that behind every policy there were people whose lives could be changed and the ESF was already making a concrete difference.

“We need precise targeting. Generic programmes are not enough. Services need to be integrated,” she stressed, adding that proper measurement tools were also needed to assess the impact of the policies being implemented.

Zrinzo Azzopardi said past successes should serve as a foundation for future progress. He stressed the need for greater flexibility in how the funds are invested and said challenges linked to demography and insularity also needed to be addressed.

The conference was also addressed by MP Ivan Bartolo, Caritas director Anthony Gatt, Gozo Regional Council president Samuel Azzopardi, Farsons talent development manager Rosette Thake, MFA EU funding evaluator and director Peter Busuttil, university student Ella Micallef Darmenia, Caritas Malta representative Marica Cassar, Inspire CEO Antonello Gauci, and Local Councils’ Association executive secretary Leanne Cassar.

Earlier this week, Casa and Maij presented their draft report to the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee, calling for a stronger and more independent European Social Fund with guaranteed investment for Europe’s most vulnerable communities.

The report will now be examined by committee members, after which amendments will be tabled as negotiations continue.