The European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) is an EU fund that helps people who are at risk of losing their jobs or who have already lost them because of company restructuring or major economic changes. Its goal is to help workers find new jobs by improving their skills and supporting them back into work.
The fund creates a stronger and more competitive European economy by
- helping workers learn new skills and improve their chances of finding good jobs after redundancy or those already displaced
- providing personalised support to jobseekers who face difficulties adapting to changes in the labour market
When can the fund be activated?
The EGF can be activated when
- a single company communicates its plans to dismiss over 200 workers to the workers' representatives in writing; or
- more than 200 workers are laid off collectively by a company, including its suppliers and related businesses or by several small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the same region or in a particular sector
What support can the EGF provide?
The fund complements existing employment support services by offering personalised help tailored to workers’ needs.
Key rules of the EGF Regulation (2021-2027)
The rules on intervention criteria, eligible beneficiaries, and measures are set out in the EGF regulation. The main aspects are
- Minimum threshold: 200 workers at risk or made redundant within a set period
- Eligibility: Workers affected by digitalisation, automation, the green transition or other structural changes
How is the EGF different from other EU funding programmes?
Other EU funds, especially the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), focus on long-term support for jobs, skills and social inclusion across Europe. They help countries prepare for and manage changes in the labour market over time, for example through training and life-long learning programmes.
The EGF provides short-term, targeted support to workers who are facing job losses due to restructuring or major economic changes.
