Successful Kick-off for ERDF and ESF+ Funding Period 2021-2027

On 01.09.2022, the opening of the programmes of the ERDF and and ESF+ for the funding period 2021-2027 as well as the constitutive conference of the shared committee of ERDF and ESF+ were held at Schloss Friedenstein in Gotha.

Volker Kurz, head of division at the Administrative Autority ERDF at the Thuringian Ministry for Econimic Affairs, Science and Digital Society (TMWWDG), opened the event. The event commenced with greetings from Emma Toledano Laredo, director of the European Commission, and Egbert Holthuis, head of division at the General Directorate for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion. Dr Katja Böhler, state secretary at TMWWDG, pointed out the importace of the funds in Thuringia's developent. The viewpoint of the Ministry for Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Women and Family (TMASGFF) was presented by state secretary Ines Feierabend.

In the new funding period 2021-2027, an amount of 1,1 billion Euro is available for the ERDF for investments in economy, research, decarbonization and urban developement.

The European Union provides the ESF+ with 466 million Euro, which will be used to secure skilled workers, stregthen social integration, as well as increase competetiveness and offers for young persons.

Furthermore, the new shared committee of ERDF and ESF+ for the funding period 2021-2027 was constituated.

The event was rounded-off with a tour of the strategic project of the ERDF "Development Baroque Universe - Gotha Transdigital".

The project is integrated into the urban development concept ISEK Gotha 2030+ and is a vital buiding block for the project "Baroque Universe Gotha". The digitalization of historico-cultural collections is the basis for digital learning and working in virtual spaces. In this, the general living condition is increased as especially underprivileged demographic groups in rural areas are given access to Gotha's cultural landscape

Greetings from Mr Kurz, head of division at the Administrative Autority ERDF at the Thuringian Ministry for Econimic Affairs, Science and Digital Society (TMWWDG)

Impressions of the Kick-off Event

Greetings via video from Mrs Toledano Laredo, director of the European Commission

Greetings from Mr Holthuis, head of division at the General Directorate for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion

Greetings from Dr Böhler, state secretary at TMWWDG

Greetings from Mrs Feierabend, state secretary at TMASGFF

For a break from the productive convention, the attendees were invited to the castle's courtyard

Dr Pfeifer-Helke, chairman of the foundation Stiftung Schloss Friedenstein Gotha, elaborated on the project "Gotha transdigital 2027" and explained the strategic project "Development Baroque Universe - Gotha Transdigital"

The stage of the baroque Ekhof-Theatre with stage machinery, which is still functioning to this day.

The integrated urban development concept ISEK Gotha 2030+ was presented to the attendees.

Precious art prints are being digitalized in order to present them to a wider public and researchers. In many cases, the prints need to be restored beforehand.

The foundation's expansive collection of coins is being digitalized in 3D to facilitate access by researches and the interested public.

The cabinet of curiosities including the artefacts is being digitalized as well. As result, it is made available to underprivileged demographic groups and to those that are residing in the periphery. — The cabinet of curiosities including its artefacts is being digitalized as well. As result, it is made available to underprivileged demographic groups and to those that are residing in the periphery.

View of Schloss Friedenstein through a balustrade

Greetings from Mrs Toledano Laredo, director of the European Commission