The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities (EASPD) and the 15 partner organisations involved in the Helpdesk project are thrilled to announce the launch of the new Helpdesk website! From 23rd February onwards, social service providers and managing authorities in all EU Member States can receive tailored support and advice on how to access and use EU funds. Developed in an accessible format and available in all 24 official EU languages, the website will be the central point for all the information collected and tools produced to help social services access EU Funds.

The main feature of the website is its online Helpdesk service, where social services can submit questions, or request information on the access and use of EU funding. The Helpdesk team will then provide tailored answers to those seeking support, helping them to disentangle the complex landscape of European funding, and to better understand the process of applying for EU funds. Beneficiaries will also be supported in finding relevant organisations to create project partnerships, or examples of good practices for developing a project.

Alongside this, the website has a Resource Center, which will contain all materials produced via the project, such as a Toolkit on Facilitating ESF+ and ERDF for Social Services. In the EU Funds section, users will be able to find information about the latest open calls launched by the European Commission, opportunities for trainings and networking, and specific information about the structure and management of EU funds in EU Member States.
 
On top of resources and support, a Massive Open Online Course, which is currently in development, will also be freely available on the website in all EU languages. It will offer training modules on the access to, use of, and reporting on the ESF+, ERDF, and other funding opportunities. The main aim is to thereby give a clear structure to, and simplify, information on European funding for social service providers.
 
Ultimately, the Helpdesk project aims to contribute to the implementation of EU social policy frameworks, especially the European Pillar of Social Rights, its action plan, and other relevant social policy topics. In a time when the demand for quality care and support is continuously increasing, Helpdesk has the potential to create a positive impact on the social services sector, both on service providers and service users, and it is crucial to ensure that funds available at the EU level are used in a meaningful way to finance innovative and impactful social projects.

Discover the Helpdesk website and its services now!

Curious to know more? Contact:

Lilith Alink, Policy and Project Officer, EASPD
Fabiana Scarano, Junior Policy and Project Officer, EASPD

+32 2 233 77 23

About Helpdesk

Helpdesk is a two-year project (2022-2024) funded by the European Commission, which aims to facilitate social services in accessing and using EU funds, especially the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The project also strives to ensure that managing authorities use these funds to finance quality interventions and innovative service designs in the field of social services.

Note to editors:

The European Association of Service providers for Persons with Disabilities is a non-profit European umbrella organisation, established in 1996, and currently representing over 20,000 social and health services for persons with disabilities. EASPD advocates effective and high-quality disability-related services in the field of education, employment and individualised support, in line with the UN CRPD principles, which could bring benefits not only to persons with disabilities, but to society as a whole.