Equal, a laboratory for news ideas:

The aims to the 2081 development partnerships, selected by member states, are to promote a more inclusive work life trough fighting discrimination and exclusion based on sex, racial or age.

The thematic approach:

The EQUAL national programmes are centred around nine thematic fields. The aim of this approach is to explore new ways of tackling problems that are common to different types of discrimination and inequality, rather than focusing on specific target groups.

1- Access and return to the labour market
2- Combating racism
3- Setting up businesses
4- Social economy
5- Adaptability
6- Life long learning
7- Adaptation to structural and economic change, especially ICT
8- Reconcile family and professional life
9- Reducing the gender gaps and supporting job desegregation
10- Socio-economic integration of asylum seekers

The European Social Fund:

The ESF is the main financial tool through which the European Union translates its strategic employment policy aims into action. Already set up by Treaty of Rome, it is the longest established Structural Fund which, for over 40 years, has invested, in partnership with the Member States, in programmes to develop people's skills and their potential for work.

European employment strategy (EES)

Common European response to employment problems that spurs member States to co-ordinate their policies. It is built on three overarching objectives (full employment, improving quality and productivity at work, strengthening social cohesion and exclusion), supported by ten priorities for action. This strategy involves the annual adoption of guidelines and the preparation of National employment Action Plans (NAP Employment) for each Member State.