ESF (European Social Fund) Nº 3 Objective: Reference framework for the development of human resources for better and more generalised employment.

The ESF constitute the main financial instrument at community level to assist member states with the development and application of employment directives by virtue of the European employment strategy.

The three major features of the entire strategic proposal in terms of human resources are as follows:

• an approach of systematic integration of the principle of equal opportunities for both sexes;
• the job-creation potential of the information society must be operated to the collective benefit of society;
• the contribution of the ESF to encouragement of local development.

The five spheres of activity of the ESF (Nº 3 Objective) are as follows:

• active employment policies to create jobs;
• a society from which nobody is excluded, open to all;
• encouragement of job possibilities, qualifications and mobility through in-house training;
• development of adaptability and the spirit of enterprise
• positive action on behalf of women.

The European Commission contributed 222.6 million euros out of a total budget of 508,194.4 million euros to the financing of the Basque Country Objective Nº 3 for the period 2000-2006.

The programme consists of 9 axes and 17 measures. Below we have set out the axes and measures which benefit Gipuzkoa, as well as any projects which are still ongoing.