Programming Period of the European Regional Development Fund, under the 'Regional Competitiveness and Employment' objective
Operational Programme 'Berlin'
Programme description
On 9 November 2007, the European Commission approved the 'Operational Programme of Berlin for the 2007-2013 Programming Period of the European Regional Development Fund'. This programme involves Community support for Berlin under the 'Regional Competitiveness and Employment' objective. The programme's total budget is around EUR 1 751 million and the Community assistance through the ERDF amounts to around EUR 876 million (approximately 3.4% of the total EU structural funds available for Germany in 2007-2013 under the cohesion policy).
1. Purpose and aim of EU investment
The main objective of the programme is to improve the international competitiveness of the city and its enterprises. The aid awarded under the ERDF programme will reinforce the capacity for innovation and adaptability and the productivity of private industry, and thus create jobs. In addition, knowledge and creativity will be used as the engine for economic and social development. To ensure this happens, the ERDF will focus on promoting the capacity for innovation and the knowledge-based economy. A further aim is to tap new potential through social integration and improvements to the situation of the environment.
The development strategy of the Land of Berlin with regard to the use of ERDF funds reflects the goals of Lisbon and Göteborg. The ERDF programme also aims to promote equal opportunities, guarantee non-discrimination and support sustainable development.
2. Expected impact of investment
The programme intends, in particular, to create 11 200 jobs and provide support for 1 080 business start-ups and 550 R&D projects.
3. Priorities
In order to achieve the main objectives of the programme set out under 4, the Operational Programme of Berlin (ERDF) for 2007-2013 has been divided into the following priorities:
Priority 1: Promotion of business competitiveness and start-ups
The aim of this priority is to improve the economic situation of the Land. It will also make a further contribution through its connection with innovation, since business investments and start-ups are linked to new products, processes and solutions to problems. The ERDF aid will be concentrated on the following areas: support for business investment, particularly through repayable loans and subsidies; the promotion of business start-ups through subsidies; advice and events; support for SMEs entering new markets; and funding for infrastructural projects with particular economic significance.
Priority 2: Innovation and knowledge-based economy
The second priority addresses the regional capacity for innovation and regional innovation processes. It will provide funding for research and development in enterprises, knowledge-intensive services, the use of IT and communications technology, technology transfer and research infrastructure. It will also experiment with new tools to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the funding provided.
Priority 3: Integrated urban development
In an integrated approach, the specific potential of individual areas of the city will be singled out for development and strengthening. Depending on each specific situation, various combinations of potential-oriented approaches focusing on economic development and instruments concentrating on tackling social problems will be applied. Both of these are important strategic factors that can be applied in a locally balanced relationship.
Priority 4: The environment
This priority focuses mainly on climate change, to be addressed in particular by measures to increase energy efficiency and R&D in the area of environmental technologies, the protection of waters, to be achieved in particular through measures to improve water quality, and nature and landscape protection, to be implemented in particular through measures to maintain and expand existing nature reserves and areas of protected landscape and to safeguard biodiversity.
Priority 5: Technical assistance
Resources have also been set aside to provide the technical assistance for implementing the programme. Support is provided for measures to prepare, administer, accompany, assess, provide information about and control the Operational Programme.
4. Managing Authority
Financial information
Breakdown of finances by priority axis
| Priority Axis | EU Investment | National Public Contribution | Total Public Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion of business competitiveness and start-ups | 293.010.000,00 | 275.429.400,00 | 568.439.400,00 |
| Innovation and knowledge-based economy | 284.520.810,00 | 267.449.560,00 | 551.970.370,00 |
| Integrated urban development | 182.657.000,00 | 171.697.580,00 | 354.354.580,00 |
| The environment | 80.402.000,00 | 75.577.880,00 | 155.979.880,00 |
| Technical assistance | 35.000.000,00 | 35.000.000,00 | 70.000.000,00 |
| Total | 875.589.810,00 | 825.154.420,00 | 1.700.744.230,00 |