Odpověď eurokomisařů Nicholase Schmita a Gelu Calaceana na druhý otevřený dopis ve věci ESF+

Dear Ms Kuchyňková,
Dear Mr Lesák,

Thank you for your letter of 9 February in which you inform me about your continued
concerns regarding the possibility of a reduced allocation of the European Social Fund
Plus (ESF+), as proposed by the Czech government.

I fully share your view that a reduced ESF+ allocation would be to the detriment of the
Czech employment and social policies. It would further weaken the capacity of
municipalities, non-governmental organisations and educational institutions to address
the economic and social impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic. This is particularly
worrying in light of the increase in unemployment, notably among young people. Other
phenomena need close attention and appropriate funding, such as skills shortages, the
social exclusion of marginalised groups and the widening educational gap.

It is in this context that I have suggested that the Czech authorities maintain the initial
allocation foreseen for ESF+, notably in light of the limited social ambitions of the first
draft of the national Recovery and Resilience Plan and the initial signals of the Recovery
Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of Europe (REACT-EU) allocation to crisis
response measures.

You also raise the question of a fully inclusive consultation process involving a broad
spectrum of organisations representing the public interest. In fact, this is a pre-condition
for future operational programmes in all Member States, including the Czech Republic,
and my services are actively following this issue with the Czech authorities.

Please rest assured that I am pursuing the dialogue with the Czech authorities to
promote effective social rights with a view to ensuring fairness and social justice in the European Union.