EVALUATION OF EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND SUPPORT FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE UNEMPLOYED IN LATVIA

Abstract

The unemployment rate in Latvia was continuing to decline in recent years, but it is still high, especially in the regions. In order to improve the existing skills and to master new skills of the unemployed, the European Social Fund's investments are used. The author of the paper is studying the support provided by the European Social Fund to the unemployed for raising their qualifications, which could help them to return to the labour market. The research aim is to investigate the active employment opportunities for unemployed people to take part and how it affects the return of the unemployed to the labour market. The result of the research study shows that the number of training programmes is large and varied. However, it has been concluded that improvements are needed in the implementation of the European Social Fund's co-funding in order to reduce the risk of its misuse.