Funding for Regional Development – Integrated Regional Innovation and Development Concepts

This funding program targets specific regional stakeholders in Hesse dedicated to developing and modernizing integrated regional innovation and development concepts. The funding aims to support Hessian regions in restructuring processes and accelerate their innovative capacity. The primary geographical focus is on the funding areas of the Joint Task “Improvement of Regional Economic Structure” (GRW) and the priority areas of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) within Hesse.

The funding program supports the elaboration, updating, modernization, and revision of integrated regional innovation and development concepts. Specific material expenses and third-party fees are recognized as eligible for funding. Concepts that integrate resource-efficient environmental practices into their approaches are particularly considered.

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant for partial financing of eligible expenditures. The funding amount varies depending on the funding source and can amount to up to 65 percent of the expenses, with a specific upper limit. A concept can only be funded once in a region within eight years.

Specific conditions must be observed for applying for and implementing the funding measures, including the necessity of early application and adherence to cooperation requirements. It is also important that these grants are not classified as aid within the meaning of Article 107(1) TFEU under state aid law, which renders the application of de minimis regulations unnecessary.

The application for funding must be submitted to Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank) before the start of the project. This is possible both in written form and electronically via the WIBank application portal, with specific forms to be used for certain funding lines.

The funding program is legitimized by the guidelines of the State of Hesse for the promotion of regional development and is budgeted within the framework of the budgetary provisions of the State of Hesse. It draws upon funds from the Federal-State Joint Task “Improvement of Regional Economic Structure” (GRW) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).