EGF Support Shows Strong Re-employment Impact Across Europe
New European Commission data shows the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) is highly effective in helping workers return to employment after mass layoffs. In completed cases, 64% of participants found jobs by the end of support, with follow-up results rising to 80–86% in countries like Belgium, Spain and Estonia. A combination of job-search assistance, reskilling, vocational training and entrepreneurship support drove these outcomes. Since 2021, EU countries have submitted 18 applications totaling €60.1 million to assist 10,825 displaced workers, confirming the fund’s ongoing relevance.
New figures from the European Commission confirm that the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund continues to be one of the most effective instruments the EU has to help workers get back on their feet after mass redundancies. A number of Member States reported re-employment rates reaching 80 to 86 percent after beneficiaries finished EGF-supported programmes.
In completed cases, 64% of assisted workers had already returned to employment by the end of their intervention period. The outcomes are even stronger in follow-up assessments: Belgium improves from 51% to 82%, Spain from 44% to 80%, and Estonia reaches 86%, well above the EU average, showing significant labour-market reintegration after targeted support.
The report points to a mix of measures including job-search guidance, reskilling, vocational training and entrepreneurship support that contributed to these results. Most beneficiaries re-entered the labour market as employees, although some moved into self-employment with EGF-funded assistance.
The EU countries have so far submitted 18 applications requesting a total of 60.1 million euros to support 10,825 workers facing restructuring and sectoral decline since 2021. This underlines the constant relevance of the EGF as a rapid response mechanism to support Europe’s workforce in economic change.
Deha Akduman
Contributing writer at EUReflect.