Community Development

The EU's Social Policy agenda is responsive to recent changes, both economic and social. Social policy works towards the aims of strengthening economic performance, creating more and better jobs and creating and capitalising on opportunities. Health initiatives also work towards these aims by addressing issues resulting from changes in our society through ageing and greater flexibility and mobility of the workforce. There are a number of programmes which seek to address some of these issues outlined below.

Programme for Community Action in the field of Health 2007-2013
The European Social Fund (ESF)
PROGRESS
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund

Health

Programme for Community Action in the field of Health 2008-2013

The Programme for Community Action in the field of Health objectives aligns future health action with the overall Community objectives of prosperity, solidarity and security. This will help to create synergies with other Community programmes and policies.

The objectives are to:
Objective One: To improve citizens' health security
Objective Two: Promote health for prosperity and solidarity
Objective Three: Generate and Disseminate Health Knowledge

For further information on the Health Programme please see:
The EU Health Programme webpage

Employment and Social Affairs

The EU’s Social Agenda for 2006-2010 aims to help the European social model modernise to accommodate massive changes in the European economy and society. Three funds have been put in place to support the objectives of the EU Social Agenda:

The European Social Fund (ESF)
PROGRESS
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund

The European Social Fund (ESF) aims to improve employment and job opportunities in the European Union. The ESF finances projects which:

• Adapt workers and enterprises through lifelong learning schemes, designing and spreading innovative working organisations, etc.
• Provide access to employment for job seekers, the unemployed, women and migrants.
• Contribute to the social integration of disadvantaged people and combat discrimination in the job market.
• Strengthen human capital by reforming education systems and setting up a network of teaching establishments.

Each EU Member State develops its own Structural Funds programme(s) for a period of seven years, based on EU regulations and guidance. Aberdeenshire is covered by the Structural Funds Programme for Lowlands and Uplands Scotland (LUPS).

For further information please see the Aberdeenshire Council ESF page.

PROGRESSis the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity and aims to financially support the implementation of the European Social Agenda. PROGRESS co-finances activities such as analysis, information sharing and networks in the field of employment and social affairs.

For further information on the PROGRESS fund:

• PROGRESS (pdf 2.70mb)

The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF)provides support for workers made redundant due to the effects of globalisation. The Fund is designed to help workers made redundant as a result of changing global trade patterns to find another job as quickly as possible. The EGF can fund labour market policy initiatives which focus on helping workers adversely affected by globalisation-related redundancies.
The EGF is intended to complement existing support from employers and national authorities, and will not fund passive social protection measures (e.g. retirement pensions and unemployment benefits). Applications for support from the EGF must come from national governments. As such, any individuals or companies affected by redundancies who wish to apply for support should contact their national authorities.

For further information on the EGF please see:
The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund website

Further Information on Employment and Social Affairs funding:

For further information on employment and social affairs funds in Aberdeenshire please contact: European Services Executive

E-mail: european.services@aberdeenshire.gov.uk