To enhance growth, employment and innovation within the European Union, the European Cohesion Policy has set 5 policy objectives within the 2021-2027 EU funding period:

A more competitive and smarter Europe.

A greener, low‑carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy.

A more connected Europe by enhancing mobility.

A more social and inclusive Europe.

Europe closer to citizens by fostering the sustainable and integrated development of all types of territories.

Three ESI-Funds influence the realization of regional projects in Saxony-Anhalt:

1. European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

This fund aims to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions. In 2021-2027 it will enable investments in a smarter, greener, more connected and more social Europe that is closer to its citizens.

Part of the ERDF is, according to the first amendmend of the ERDF-programme (approval of the European Commission from 06.09.2022), the Just Transition Fund (JTF). It represents a new instrument of the Cohesion Policy 2021-2027, as the first pillar of the Just Transition Mechanism in the context of the European Green Deal aiming at achieving the EU climate-neutrality by 2050.

2. Europan Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

The ESF+ is a key financial instrument for investing in people and education. It provides much-needed resources to EU countries for the recovery of our societies and economies after the coronavirus crisis.

3. European Agriculural Fund for Regional Development (EAFRD)

The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) build the two pillars of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The EAFRD supports European policy on rural development.