Berlin Program for Sustainable Development (BENE 2) – Funding Priority 1: Energy Efficiency

The Berlin Program for Sustainable Development (BENE 2) targets a wide range of stakeholders in Berlin who wish to engage in greater energy efficiency and climate neutrality. Eligible applicants include public institutions, non-profit organizations, as well as private and public companies.

Within Funding Priority 1 "Energy Efficiency," primarily investment and non-investment measures are funded that contribute to the reduction of climate-damaging gases and the increase of energy efficiency. This includes a wide range of technological solutions, from building optimizations to comprehensive sustainability concepts.

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant and constitutes project funding. The amount of the grant depends on the specific measures, with ERDF co-financing covering up to 40 percent of the eligible expenses. Projects must have total eligible costs of at least 10,000 Euros.

To receive funding, applicants and their projects must meet certain requirements. These include compliance with state aid regulations such as the GBER and De Minimis Regulation, as well as specific criteria for project implementation and financing. Transparency and publicity obligations must also be observed.

The application procedure for BENE 2 – Funding Priority 1 is multi-stage and ideally begins with a project outline, followed by the formal application submission. Submissions are made digitally via the electronic application system, and project selection is typically based on published calls for participation.

The Berlin Program for Sustainable Development (BENE 2) is based on a comprehensive legal framework that includes both European regulations and Berlin state laws and guidelines to achieve the funding objectives in line with national and European requirements.