The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) aims to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions. In 2021-2027 it will enable investments in a smarter, greener, more connected and more social Europe that is closer to its citizens.
The ERDF will enable investments to make Europe and its regions:
- More competitive and smarter, through innovation and support to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as digitisation and digital connectivity
- Greener, low-carbon and resilient
- More connected by enhancing mobility
- More social, supporting effective and inclusive employment, education, skills, social inclusion and equal access to healthcare, as well as enhancing the role of culture and sustainable tourism
- Closer to citizens, supporting locally-led development and sustainable urban development across the EU
Organisations that can benefit from ERDF include public bodies, private sector organisations (especially SMEs), universities, associations, NGOs and voluntary organisations, depending on the operational programme.
Urban areas are directly targeted by several of the ERDF investment priorities. The action is designed to reduce economic, environmental and social problems in urban areas, with a special focus on sustainable urban development. At least 8 % of the ERDF resources are set aside for this field through territorial or local development strategies, its on-the-ground deployment is decided and directed by urban authorities.
In order to be financed, the project has to be in line with the Operational programme (OP) for your region/area. Applications can be done in cooperation with the local managing authority.
It is also possible to use the ERDF in the form of financial instruments.
All European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) including ERDF can be used in integrated packages at local, regional or national level through the use of territorial integrated instruments such as Community-led Local Development (CLLD) and Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI).
For all the projects and amounts financed under ESIF check https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/