What is the ERDF?

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is one of the five European Structural Funds and, as such, a financial instrument of the European Commission under the Cohesion Policy. The Cohesion Policy aims to strengthen the EU Member States' economic, social, and territorial cohesion. The reduction of regional development disparities, the economic strengthening of structurally weak regions and the improvement of the quality of life of EU citizens, are essential conditions for this. The objectives, defined in the "Europe 2020" strategy, are the foundation for developing and deploying the ERDF funding programmes. The European Council adopted this European employment and growth strategy in 2010. The aim is to achieve intelligent, sustainable, and integrative growth with a focus on knowledge and innovation, high employment and social inclusion levels, and a stronger sustainability orientation of the economy. This goes hand in hand with ecological and considerate exploitation of resources and an increase in the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises.