European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds)

Over half of EU funding is allocated through the five European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds). They are managed jointly by the European Commission and the EU countries.

They are intended for investment in job creation and a sustainable and healthy European economy and environment.

The five priority areas of the ESI Funds are:

• Research and innovation
• Digital technologies
• Supporting the low-carbon economy
• Sustainable management of natural resources
• Small businesses

The funds are managed by the EU countries themselves under partnership arrangements.

Each country, in cooperation with the European Commission, draws up an agreement specifying how the funds will be used during the current funding period.

The partnership agreements lead to a number of investment programmes through which fundsare allocated to the different regions and for projects in the policy areas concerned.

The ESI Funds that are relevant for the University are the European Social Fund for Germany (ESF) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).