REACT-EU: almost €93 million for Germany to improve skills, support people in need and invest in the green and digital transitions

The Commission will grant a total of almost €93 million to the capital of Germany, Berlin, by modifying two European Social Fund (ESF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) operational programmes (OP) under REACT-EU. In particular, the OP for the ESF in Berlin will receive almost additional €37 million to help improve the skills of disadvantaged young people, support innovative start-up projects in medicine and health care. Moreover, it will improve the living conditions of homeless people – a group particularly affected by the coronavirus pandemic – as well as enhance access to social services for those affected by social exclusion. Berlin will also receive an additional €55.6 million under the OP ERDF to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, in particular start-ups, in information and communication technology, media and creative industries, as well as energy efficiency and energy saving measures. Commissioners Schmit and Ferreira were in Berlin today to meet with political representatives and announce the additional funding. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “I am proud to say that these additional resources for the Berlin ERDF Operational Programme will help the city to recover from the crisis in a sustainable way. More than half of these resources will be spent through concrete sustainable investments or in green infrastructures like parks or green areas. These future-oriented investments will help Berlin to recover from the crisis and to successfully manage the green and digital transitions.” Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, added: “The coronavirus pandemic has hit us all. The EU has embarked on the path of solidarity and decided today that Berlin will receive almost €37 million of additional EU funding for social projects. This helps pupils from disadvantaged families, people who are experiencing poverty and social exclusion, and promotes innovative solutions in the field of health care. The European Social Fund is making sure that the recovery provides new opportunities for all.” REACT-EU is part of NextGenerationEU and provides €50.6 billion additional funding (in current prices) over the course of 2021 and 2022 to Cohesion policy programmes. Measures focus on supporting labour market resilience, jobs, SMEs and low-income families, as well as setting future-proof foundations for the green and digital transitions and a sustainable socio-economic recovery.