May 2026



Making Our Voices Heard

"Making our voices heard. " This statement perfectly captures the spirit of the Parliamentary Evening on the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) in Kiel. The event was hosted by the State Association of Independent Welfare Organisations (LAG Freie Wohlfahrtspflege) and initiated by our KoSI cooperation partner  Diakonie Schleswig-Holstein , together with other social partners, including the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB Nord), the European Movement Germany, and the Jobcenter.

One message stood out clearly throughout the evening: the debate on the next EU budget is not merely a technical discussion about public finances—it is a political decision about Europe's future. It will determine whether the social dimension of Europe is strengthened or weakened.

The ESF+ is not a peripheral funding instrument. It is a cornerstone of social inclusion, labour market integration, and social cohesion—not least in Schleswig-Holstein.

The event was opened and moderated by Eka von Kalben, Chair of the Parliamentary Group of Alliance 90/The Greens in the Schleswig-Holstein State Parliament. She highlighted the close connection between European budget decisions and regional realities.

Some of the most powerful moments came from people directly affected by ESF+-funded projects. They shared how these initiatives had opened up new opportunities for them—whether by supporting their transition into vocational training, helping them overcome homelessness, or enabling them to build new perspectives for their lives.

At the same time, participants stressed that weakening the European Social Fund in the current negotiations—or shifting funding priorities towards competitiveness alone—would have immediate consequences for the most vulnerable members of society.

The message from the welfare organisations and their partners was therefore unmistakable: the ESF must not become a bargaining chip. It is an investment in democracy, social cohesion, and Europe's future.

The participation of representatives from all parliamentary groups in the Schleswig-Holstein State Parliament, as well as the three Members of the European Parliament representing Schleswig-Holstein—Delara Burkhardt, Rasmus Andresen, and Niclas Herbst—was widely seen as an important signal of political support.

As our KoSI cooperation partner Dr Grit Kühne from Diakonie Schleswig-Holstein concluded:

"We were heard. And we will keep the momentum going."