Bavaria has the highest gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and the highest growth rate of any Western German Federal State. The labour force participation rate is in the range of 75%, considerably higher than the Federal German and EU average. At the same time, there are serious differences...

The ESF programme for Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania is designed to help this rurally structured region - which is currently suffering as a result of low competitiveness, high unemployment and considerable migration - to increase its economic power and create new jobs. Investment in people, in...

By concentrating on proactive and preventative measures, German ESF funding combats social exclusion and supports the 'upgrading' of the workforce in order to meet demographic challenges. At national level, it concentrates on the adaptability of workers to support and sustain the economy as it...

The German Federal State of Saxony-Anhalt is continuing to undergo a dramatic process of transformation, characterised by a major drop in population and ongoing high unemployment. The State's projects, which it is implementing with help from the European Social Fund, are designed to combat these...

ESF funding in the Land of Schleswig-Holstein addresses the challenges of the future by supporting preventive actions to combat youth unemployment, improve the skills of the workforce and integrate disadvantaged people into the labour market. Through this approach, Schleswig-Holstein aims to...

Growth in jobs and the economy through developing human resources' is the title of Brandenburg's Operational Programme for ESF funds. It goes beyond traditional approaches by focusing on individuals and their ability to adapt, learn and improve themselves during their working lives - a...

Hamburg is using ESF funds to improve the career prospects of its young people, to provide assistance in qualifying for employment opportunities, and to support the social inclusion of disadvantaged people in working life. In addition, training programmes will equip job-seekers and workers with...

Nordrhein-Westfalen is the most densely populated of Germany's federal states. The upward trend in the economy in recent years had positive eff ects on the labour market. In the light of the economic crisis, therefore, it is uncertain how far these effects will prove sustainable. In view of...

With its ESF Operational Programme, Thuringia focuses on creating more and better jobs to support economic growth and improve competitiveness in the face of economic and demographic challenges. In addition, support is being given to improving the qualifications of workers and employers in order...