The European Union Programme for Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) provides financial support to promote a high level of quality and sustainable employment, guarantee adequate and decent social protection, combat social exclusion and poverty, and improve working conditions across the EU.

Over the period 2019 and 2020, the Commission committed more than EUR 255 million towards implementation of the programme’s activities.

The following positive developments were noted in 2019-2020:

• EaSI-funded policy evidence is increasingly seen as sound and highly useful from the stakeholder’s perspective.

• EaSI-funded events continued providing much-appreciated platforms for effective and inclusive information sharing, mutual learning and dialogue in relevant policy fields.

• The involvement of both policymakers and decision-makers in the debate on EU employment and social policy and legislation is steadily increasing indicating the growing inclusiveness of all relevant stakeholders.

• EU-funded support for social policy innovations gained more visibility.

• Even though the COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted the activities of the EURES network, the EURES Job Mobility Portal remained visible and useful among jobseekers and employers.

• 2019-2020 marked a strong period for the Microfinance and Social Entrepreneurship axis. Altogether 34 contracts worth more than EUR 74 million were signed with microfinance intermediaries; at the end of 2020 these contracts accounted for 97 271 microloans worth EUR 1.27 billion (the leverage of 5.3 was achieved).

• EaSI support for social enterprises has increased significantly. In total, 3 337 social enterprises received funding through the EaSI Social Entrepreneurship Window by the end of 2020. The amount of funding provided accounted for more than EUR 490 million, averaging out at EUR 147 135 per enterprise.

Executive summary available in English, French and German.

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