Mallorca MEP warns EU social fund could lose its focus

Mallorca MEP Rosa Estaràs warns that help for vulnerable people could lose its focus: she wants the EU social fund, formally the European Social Fund, kept separate with clear goals and funding in the 2028–2034 budget. In a statement reported from Palma on 6 November 2026, the People’s Party says she fears the European Commission’s proposed budget structure could weaken the fund’s social purpose.

Estaràs points to an independent assessment of employment and inclusion programmes funded by the European Social Fund between 2016 and 2023. It found that every euro invested generated between 2.9 and 4 euros in economic and social benefits. Among people previously outside the workforce, taking part increased the likelihood of finding a job by up to 79%.

She also wants regions to keep a say in designing and running the programmes, rather than leaving too much control at EU level. Her argument is that regions know their citizens’ needs best.

Topics: Social affairs · Politics

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com