The Cohesion Fund aims to reduce economic and social differences. It allocates a total of € 63.4 billion to activities in trans-European transport networks and environment.
Depending on the operational programme:
The European Rural Development Fund aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions. The focus of investments under this programme lies on innovation and research, the digital agenda, support for SMEs and the low carbon economy. Areas that are naturally disadvantaged from a geographical viewpoint (remote, mountainous or sparsely populated areas, including Outermost Areas) benefit from special treatment.
Depending on the operational programme:
The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is the European Union (EU)’s main instrument for investing in people. With a budget of almost € 99.3 billion for the period 2021-2027, the ESF+ will continue to provide an important contribution to the EU’s employment, social, education and skills policies, including structural reforms in these areas.
The Fund will also be one of the cornerstones of EU socio-economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has reversed gains in labour participation, challenged educational and health systems and increased inequalities. The ESF+ will be one of the key EU instrument helping Member States to address these challenges.
As part of cohesion policy, the ESF+ will also continue its mission to support economic, territorial and social cohesion in the EU – reducing disparities between Member States and regions.
Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion.
It tackles climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies.
It creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment impact within a strengthened European Research Area.
Legal entities from the EU and associated countries can participate.
The cities of Europe and the globe face a number of daunting problems in the 21st century; from urban decline to climate change, and beyond. The scale of these issues crosses national boundaries and cannot be faced by one country alone. Therefore, it is vital that efforts in research and innovation be commensurate with the problems faced. Since its creation in 2010, JPI Urban Europe strives to encourage this vital transnational research, for instance by means of joint calls for research and innovation projects.
Interreg Europe is a cooperation programme, co-funded by the European Union. The European Union strives to reduce disparities in the levels of development, growth and quality of life in and across Europe’s regions. The programme contributes to this objective and runs from 2021 to 2027.
Interreg Europe has a budget of MEUR 379 to help local, regional and national governments across Europe to develop and deliver better policy. Interreg Europe creates an environment and opportunities for sharing solutions to regional development issues. Interreg Europe supports the exchange of good practices and policy learning among European regions in 29 countries - the EU27, Norway and Switzerland.
ELENA provides technical assistance for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments targeting buildings and innovative urban transport.
Investment threshold
Normally, the amount of the investment programme must be above EUR 30 million. The ELENA grant amount can cover up to 90% of the total eligible costs, and the Final Beneficiary must fund the remaining 10% of the eligible costs.
Citizen or energy cooperatives refer to a business model where citizens jointly own and participate in renewable energy or energy efficiency projects. In energy cooperatives citizens are involved in both the decision making and financial & economical participation.
Any person can be a member of the cooperative and participate in its financing schemes.
Crowdfunding is the use of small amounts of capital from a large number of individuals to finance a new business venture. Using crowdfunding creates you the opportunity to raise the money quickly and easily for projects supported by the like-minded supporters who are eager to help.
Any person or legal entity can be a part of crowdfunding campaign, either as a initiator or a donor.
The European Energy Efficiency Fund aims to support the goals of the EU to promote a sustainable energy market and climate protection. Maximizing its impact, EEEF facilitates investments in the public sector offering funding for energy efficiency and small scale renewable energy projects.