The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is a structural fund of the European Union which is used to promote economic, territorial and social cohesion within the European Union. In Germany, the federal states are responsible for implementing the funding. The strategic orientation and implementation of the funding measures are generally combined in a seven-year funding period. Within the European Regional Development Fund, the Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector supports projects that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, environmental protection and the sustainable use of resources.
In the 2014 – 2020 funding period, the focus in Baden-Württemberg was on the areas of "innovation" and "energy transition". The Ministry of the Environment therefore funded projects in both areas with the three funding programs "Phosphorus recovery", "Systematic climate protection" and "Regional competence centers of the energy efficiency network". 47.3 million euros in ERDF funds and 19.6 million euros in REACT-EU funds as well as additional funds from the state budget were available for this purpose.
As part of the European Commission's Corona aid package ("REACT-EU"), additional funds were invested in the ERDF program Baden-Württemberg 2014 - 2020 to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic and support the recovery of the economy in the member states.
Phosphorus recovery
Phosphorus recovery processes can make the phosphorus supply for Baden-Württemberg ecologically and economically sustainable in the long term. For this reason, the funding program has supported the (further) development of application-ready and economical processes (test plants and large-scale pilot implementation) for phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge and sewage sludge ash.
Phosphorus recovery (only in German)
Systematic climate mitigation ("KmS")
Numerous municipalities, cities and districts as well as companies in Baden-Württemberg are committed to climate protection. With the KmS funding program, the Ministry of the Environment has supported the systematic implementation of municipal climate protection projects based on the climate protection concepts of the municipalities and districts or the European Energy Award (eea). Projects were funded that reduced CO2 emissions and enabled the implementation of climate-friendly measures.
Systematic climate change mitigation (only in German)
Regional Competence Centers Energy Efficiency Network ("KEFF")
In order to exploit the energy efficiency potential of companies, the Ministry of the Environment has funded regional competence centers for energy efficiency (KEFF) in the 12 regions of Baden-Württemberg. The KEFFs informed companies (especially small and medium-sized enterprises) free of charge and independently about the possibilities of energy efficiency, arranged energy consulting services and supported them in the integration into company networks and the implementation of energy efficiency measures.
The Regional Competence Centers of the Energy Efficiency Network (KEFF) project was completed as planned on February 28, 2023. Companies can find information and contact persons on material and energy efficiency in the follow-up project KEFF+.
On November 17, 2021, the 2021 – 2027 funding period was officially launched with a kick-off event. Here you can find the short film (only in German and without audio description).
The 2021 – 2027 funding period follows on directly from the previous funding period and contributes to a more innovative and greener Baden-Württemberg. The Ministry of the Environment has launched new funding programs for this purpose: "Model Region Green Hydrogen", "Bioeconomy - Bio-refineries for the extraction of raw materials from waste and wastewater" and "Resource efficiency in companies". The selected projects will be supported with a total of 53.8 million euros in ERDF funding and additional funds from the state budget.
Model region green hydrogen
In the model regions for green hydrogen, the development of a hydrogen economy along the entire hydrogen value chain based on renewable energies is being tested. In addition, the associated technological, economic, ecological and social aspects will be examined and social acceptance of hydrogen as an energy source will be increased.
Model region green hydrogen (only in German)
Resource efficiency in enterprises ("KEFF+")
In order to support the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources in companies (especially in small and medium-sized enterprises), the Ministry of the Environment is funding the establishment of regional competence centers for resource efficiency (KEFF+) in all 12 regions of Baden-Württemberg (funding module 1). With the KEFF+, companies, especially in the manufacturing industry, are offered a neutral and free contact point across the board that provides information and raises awareness on the topic of resource efficiency and the resulting CO2 savings. In addition, BERE supports consultations in the area of resource efficiency (funding module 2).
Resource efficiency in enterprises (“KEFF+”) (only in German)
Bioeconomy – Biorefineries for the extraction of raw materials from waste and wastewater ("Bio-Ab-Cycling")
With this funding program, the Ministry of the Environment supports the construction and implementation of modular "biorefineries" with environmental technologies and biointelligent solutions under scientific supervision. In the biorefineries, waste and/or wastewater are used as sources of raw materials and the raw materials they contain are recovered using various coordinated technologies. The raw materials are thus efficiently and sustainably returned to the economic cycle.
While the current funding period 2021 – 2027 is currently being implemented, preparations for the new funding period after 2027 are starting early.
In January 2024, for example, a joint position paper on the further development of the ERDF was presented to the EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, Elisa Ferreira, during a top-level meeting in Brussels. This paper summarizes proposals for the content and strategic orientation of future cohesion policy - as the EU's most important investment policy - from the perspective of the state of Baden-Württemberg.
Baden-Württemberg is carrying out an extensive participation and consultation process in order to incorporate impulses into the strategic orientation of cohesion policy. This allows the partners of the ERDF program to contribute their expertise, experience and perspectives. The process was officially launched in April 2024 with a kick-off event for the ERDF after 2027.
Through early and continuous consultation and participation, an ERDF program is to be created again that is supported by a broad consensus and supports Baden-Württemberg in the best possible way in overcoming current and future challenges.
