European Regional Development Fund

Regional development is a broad field and includes economic and social issues as well as ecological and cultural aspects. This thematic openness is reflected in the ERDF and allows for cultural projects to be funded as well. Due to the regional orientation of this funding programme, it essentially depends on the regional focal points to what extent the cultural and creative sector can benefit from the ERDF and which cultural projects are eligible for funding. The respective focal points address regional characteristics and challenges, but they are at the same time derived from the overarching aims of the programme. These are defined as follows from 2021-2027:

• a more intelligent Europe through innovation, digitalisation and economic transformation
• a more eco-friendly Europe through renewable energy and new climate change strategies
• a more connected Europe through strategic digital structures and transport networks
• a more social Europe through equal access to employment, education, health care as well as social inclusion
• a Europe that moves closer to its citizens through sustainable urban development and local development strategies

Regardless of the respective topic choice or method, funded projects should fundamentally strengthen the respective region. On the one hand, this can occur through a purely local focus and the cooperation of various local actors. On the other hand, projects can also be based on cross-border cooperation and thus support the exchange of different regions and organisations.

In both cases, interactive cultural projects and measures that maintain or restore cultural spaces can be funded. Especially investments and cost transfers for the latter are not eligible for funding in many other EU programmes. Funding out of the ERDF can be used, for example, to renovate, expand or make museums or cultural heritage sites more barrier-free or to transform old industrial sites and underused land into spaces for cultural, creative or social activities. In addition, such projects can be linked to touristic activities or offers. Furthermore, the ERDF is also suitable for making existing cultural offerings more sustainable and digital.

In the past, the ERDF has facilitated cultural projects with the following topics:

• Restoration and modernisation of monuments and cultural heritage sites
• Construction of visitor centres as well as reconstruction measures that enable barrier-free access to cultural sites
• Establishment of a neighbourhood initiative to strengthen the link between the local economy and the neighbourhood culture
• Digitalisation in the field of cultural and funds raising management
• Conducting studies on the role of cultural and creative industries for urban spaces
• Developing new concepts for the urban development and the transformation of brownfields into cultural centres

In general, all organisations and institutions that conduct projects related to the programme’s aims and qualify as a general legal entity are eligible for ERDF funding. These are for example:

• Municipalities and municipal institutions
• Public institutions
• Colleges
• Companies
• Clubs, associations and civil society organisations

European partner organisations are not necessary for funding by the ERDF, cross-border projects are, however, also possible. Nonetheless, due to the regional administration of the ERDF, there may be different regulations across the federal states concerning institutions that are considered eligible. Therefore, it is important to orientate yourself according to the respective federal state’s funding regulations. You can find the regional contact points under Contacts.