21/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - German ESF operational programme adopted. On Tuesday 21 October, the European Commission adopted Germany's operational programme for implementation of the European social fund (ESF) in the period from 2014 to 2020. With this approval, €2.6 billion will be provided by the ESF. Some 38% of total funding will be devoted to social inclusion and the labour market inclusion of the long-term unemployed, the sustainable placement of migrants into employment or vocational and educational training, and improved access of disadvantaged young people to employment, training and education. 33% of the funds will be invested in education, skills and lifelong learning. 25% of the available funds will promote sustainable and quality employment, and labour mobility, with specific attention being paid to SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). (JK)