The ERDF/JTF NRW program explains
Strengthening North Rhine-Westphalia for the future
North Rhine-Westphalia has a long history of renewal processes. The structural change in the Ruhr region from an industrial to a service society is just the best-known example of this. As one of the most diverse regions in the European Union, the state is facing considerable challenges: Rapid technological developments, climate change and an ageing population are increasing the need for innovative solutions and developments. Key technologies and industries that used to characterize North Rhine-Westphalia are being replaced or fundamentally changed. Digitalization, urbanization and decarbonization are changing the world of work and life in all parts of the state.
The European Regional Development Fund, ERDF for short, has been contributing to growth, employment and cohesion in North Rhine-Westphalia since the mid-1990s. In the current 2021-2027 funding period, the focus is on three EU policy objectives in NRW:
- a smarter Europe - innovative and intelligent economic change
- a greener, lower CO2 Europe
- a Europe closer to its citizens - sustainable and integrated development of urban and rural areas and local initiatives
The ERDF/JTF program 2021-2027 in North Rhine-Westphalia pursues the goal of sustainably strengthening the economic, ecological and social development of the region. The focus is on the transition to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient economy, the promotion of innovation and digitalization and the improvement of social cohesion. Important objectives are:
- Increasing the competitiveness of companies, especially SMEs
- Promoting research, technology and innovation
- Transformation towards a climate-neutral, low-carbon economy
- Adapting to climate change and improving the resilience of regions
- Strengthening the quality of life in cities and rural areas
Shaping a just transition with the JTF
Climate change is a particular challenge for Europe's regions. Supporting the transition to a climate-neutral and sustainable European economy is one of the key objectives of EU structural funding. This is particularly urgent in regions that are characterized by the extraction of fossil fuels, electricity generation based on them and a high proportion of CO2-intensive industries. In North Rhine-Westphalia, this currently applies to the Rhenish lignite mining area and parts of the northern Ruhr region. In the current funding period, the EU Just Transition Fund (JTF) is supporting the affected regions in overcoming these challenges. The main aim of the JTF is to cushion the loss of jobs in North Rhine-Westphalia through the transition to a climate-neutral economy. The areas that can benefit from the funding are set out in two territorial plans (TJTP). Find out more in the JTF Regulation and the Territorial Plans.
The legal basis for ERDF/JTF funding in North Rhine-Westphalia is provided by Regulations (EU) 2021/1060 (so-called umbrella regulation), (EU) 2021/1058 (ERDF Regulation) and (EU)2021/1056 (JTF Regulation). In 2024, the STEP Regulation (EU) 2024/795 was added, which places a new focus on strategic technologies in European structural funding. Find out more about the legal basis in "ERDF/JTF in a nutshell".
Funding for the future of the region
ERDF/JTF funding is intended to help European regions grow and promote their economic and social development. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the strategy of the ERDF/JTF program includes several key priorities to strengthen the whole of North Rhine-Westphalia, create and secure existing jobs, support sustainable transformation and improve social cohesion. The funding supports projects that develop creative ideas for sustainable, resource-efficient and climate-neutral technologies or implement product and process innovations.
Collaboration between business and science, different sectors or at regional level between cities and municipalities is a central concern of EU regional funding in NRW. The programme promotes cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), municipalities, research and educational institutions and civil society organizations. The ERDF/JTF program is shaping an innovative and inclusive future in North Rhine-Westphalia by using the region's strengths to respond to the challenges of the future.
Investment in competitiveness
Under the ERDF/JTF program in NRW, around 1.9 billion euros in EU funding will be available for forward-looking, sustainable and innovative projects in the 2021-2027 funding period. In addition, there is a share from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (co-financing) as well as own contributions from the funded projects. The funds will flow into science and industry to drive innovation, digitalization and green transformation as well as to strengthen competitiveness and social cohesion.
Six priorities were initially defined for the current funding period:
- Innovative NRW
- Medium-sized business-friendly NRW
- Sustainable NRW
- Mobile NRW
- Liveable NRW
- Future-proof coal regions
Through STEP has been added:
- Resilient coal regions/STEP
- Competitive NRW/STEP
- Resource-efficient NRW/STEP
Focus areas in North Rhine-Westphalia
The ERDF/JTF program includes a wide range of funding measures aimed at strengthening competitiveness, promoting sustainability and climate protection and improving infrastructure in cities and regions. In the area of competitiveness and digitalization, the focus is on supporting SMEs and scientific institutions. These are to expand their research and innovation capacities and drive forward the digital transformation by promoting new digital business models and processes.
In the area of sustainability and climate protection, the focus is on reducing energy consumption, particularly through the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings. Smart energy systems and grids are also being developed to ensure an efficient energy supply. Another important aspect is the promotion of the circular economy, which aims to use resource-saving technologies to minimize waste and use resources more efficiently.
Social inclusion and resilience are strengthened by measures to improve mobility and adapt to climate change. These include sustainable transport concepts to make urban mobility more environmentally friendly. Protective measures against extreme weather events are also being promoted to make cities and communities more resilient to the effects of climate change. Finally, the program aims to promote social, economic and environmental development in both urban and rural areas in order to strengthen cohesion in the regions.
Promotion with structure
In the EU's structural and cohesion policy, the ERDF and the JTF are the central instruments for the European regions. Imbalances in economic, social or ecological development are to be reduced through structural funding.
The structures of the programme are based on a clear allocation of priorities and measures, which are organized across different funding areas. Within the political objectives, there are specific priority fields that focus on concrete areas such as research, digitalization, energy efficiency or mobility. A central component of the program is the promotion of SMEs and start-ups. Structural change regions such as the Rhenish mining area and the northern Ruhr region receive special support to facilitate the transition to a climate-neutral economy. This support also includes measures for vocational training and the creation of new jobs.
In Germany, the ERDF/JTF is coordinated by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK). The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (MWIKE) is responsible for implementing the program in North Rhine-Westphalia. Get more information from the EFRE regulation and JTF regulation.