European Commission gives green light for ERDF program 2021–2027 Thuringia

Tiefensee: €1.1 billion from the EU for investments in the economy, research, decarbonization, and urban development

The European Commission has approved the Thuringian programme for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2021–2027. During this period, the Free State of Thuringia will be able to use EU funds amounting to almost 1.1 billion euros for economic and technological promotion, climate protection or urban development. The ERDF is a funding instrument of the European Commission for all regions of Europe, which serves to compensate for development differences in the areas of economy, research and infrastructure.

"The ERDF is a key driver of growth, employment and economic modernization in Thuringia," said Minister of Economic Affairs Wolfgang Tiefensee. "Now that Brussels has given the green light, the funds are now available for new investment projects in Thuringia." Delays in the start of the new ERDF period, which had resulted in particular from the lengthy budget negotiations at EU level and the resulting uncertainties regarding funding and regulatory requirements, would have to be made up for in the coming years. To this end, the EU is also relying on lean disbursement and review procedures.

The ERDF program of the Free State of Thuringia has been coordinated over the past two years in an extensive consultation process with partners from the worlds of business, science, local government, and the environment. In particular, the program sets out the priorities for ERDF funding in the state.

"A major focus of ERDF funding will continue to be on the areas of innovation and competitiveness of our medium-sized economy," said Tiefensee. A good half (53 percent or a good 580 million euros of ERDF funds) of the total available funds flow into this area. The second major focus of ERDF funding is the reduction of CO2 emissions – in particular through energy-efficient building renovation, more energy efficiency, in public buildings, heating networks and public transport – as well as flood protection.

"With the new funding period, climate protection and decarbonisation will become even more of a focus of our funding policy," said the minister. In the future, a good 35 percent of the ERDF funds (around 380 million in EU funds) will be available for this purpose. This is necessary so that Thuringia can make a significant contribution to achieving the nationwide climate targets – reducing CO2 emissions by 65 percent by 2030 and by 88 percent by 2040 compared to 1990. In addition, sustainable urban development remains an important goal of ERDF funding in Bavaria at 11 percent (or 120 million euros). A further 70 million euros are available for investments in sustainable and future-proof local transport.

At the same time, Tiefensee gave a positive assessment of the last EU funding period (2014-2020). With around €1.2 billion in ERDF funds available to Thuringia during this period, the following projects, among others, were funded:

  • 2,350 companies investing in their competitiveness and
  • Support has been provided to nearly 500 companies in research and development.
  • A further 450 businesses benefited from subsidies for energy efficiency measures or the introduction of renewable energies.
  • In addition, ERDF funds were used to redevelop 383,000 square meters of urban areas and implement 59 flood protection projects.
  • The climate protection projects that have been initiated will save around 8,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.