Funding for Regional Development – Regional Management and Regional Budget

This funding program is aimed at existing and permanently established regional management organizations in Hesse that want to implement innovative projects to strengthen regional innovation, growth, and employment potential. The goal is to profile the regions in Hesse and contribute to the implementation of the Hessian Innovation Strategy.

The program funds a variety of projects and activities to strengthen regional development and innovation in Hesse. This includes the conception and implementation of regional strategies, the establishment of networks, and innovation-oriented individual projects, particularly those focusing on resource efficiency, circular economy, and CO2 emission reduction.

The funding is provided in the form of a non-repayable grant. The regional budget for regional management organizations is limited to up to 130,000 euros per year, with a maximum funding rate of 50 percent of the eligible expenses. The project duration for supplementary projects should not exceed three years.

Various conditions must be met to receive funding, including submitting the application before the start of the project and annual reporting. The funding is subject to specific state aid regulations and has budget restrictions regarding direct company funding.

The application for funding must be submitted to Wirtschafts- und Infrastrukturbank Hessen (WIBank) before the project starts. Electronic application via the WIBank online portal is also possible.

The basis of this funding program is formed by the guidelines of the State of Hesse for the promotion of regional development, particularly Part II, Section 3. It is embedded in the context of the EU ERDF program and the Hessian Innovation Strategy.