1. Social innovation in ESF
TÓTH Gábor
DG EMPL, E1 – ESF Policy and Legislation
ESF TWG, Brussels, 24 April 2013

2. Rationale for the guide
Political context
Social objectives of Europe 2020 vs
Constrained budgets
Need for smarter social investments: social innovation
Social Investment Package
New theme
At the same time
Shifting focus on internal guides – thus no consultation on the guide
Altering provisions in the regulations – thus not too detailed technical treatment on the programming provisions

3. Definition and ESF approach
Broad definition
Social needs
Social means
Effectiveness, efficiency
Selectivity criterion: effectiveness or efficiency
ESF focus
Testing and
Up-scaling
Both are integral to social innovation by ESF.

4. Focus on change Impact: change in policy or policy approach
Relevancy: innovative activities which bring systematical change
"…enhance society's capacity to act"
ESF: testing and up-scaling
One method for testing and up-scaling: social experimentation.

5. Strategic choice In which areas is this change (most) necessary?
Focus social innovation on those areas
Identification of themes for social innovation

6. Thank you very much!