Berlin in Europe – Europe in Berlin

• How much EU funding does Berlin get?

  Over 94 per cent of the EU budget returns to the citizens in their states, regions and cities because the funds are paid out to the EU states through the EU funding programmes. There are two major areas in the EU funding programmes. The European Structural Funds and the free EU programmes and funding measures.

  The European Structural Funds are the EU’s most important funding instruments to strengthen economic and social cohesion. They are managed centrally in Berlin by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises. In the current funding period 2021–2027, Berlin is receiving a total of 828 million euros for the European Structural Funds (from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF+)).

  More information on the European Structural and Investment Funds in Berlin

  An overview of the projects in Berlin funded by the EU in the Structural Funds can be found in the EU database KOHESIO.

  Individuals, companies, associations or public agencies (depending on the programme) can also apply for grants from other EU programmes. If applications are successful, there is no requirement to report this to a central office in Berlin. It is therefore not possible to make any definitive statements about the total amount of EU funding in use in Berlin.

  Projects in Berlin that are funded by the EU can be recognised by the EU flag with the statement “gefördert mit Mitteln der EU” (supported by EU funds), which must be clearly placed on all publications (including on information provided online or on buildings, for example).

  Overview of the current EU funding programmes other than the Structural Funds

• What is done with the EU funds in Berlin?

  The way EU funds are used in Berlin depends on the conditions of the funding programmes. These conditions determine how the money can be used. Here are a few examples:

  With the European Structural Funds, projects and measures can be financed from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) that contribute to reducing differences in development between regions. The website of the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises shows what this means and how the funds are used. The European Social Fund (ESF) promotes regional employment. The focus is on investing in the people, e.g., by supporting back-to-work measures after longer periods of unemployment, professional orientation for youth and assistance with moving into self-employment. The website of the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises shows how this is done.

  A good overview of examples of projects supported by the EU in Berlin boroughs can be found in the brochure “UnSichtbares Europa ((In)Visible Europe) published in 2019 by the former Senate Department for Culture and Europe.

  What does the EU do in my region? In the EU database “Kohesio, you can research online by EU member state to find EU projects supported by the Structural Fund. Here you can find an interactive map translated into all EU languages.

  To the website

  Successfully completed projects in Berlin with ERDF funding
  Successfully completed projects in Berlin with ESF funding

• What does the EU do especially for young people?

  The EU has numerous resources for young people. For example, the EU funding programme Erasmus+ is for young people between the ages of 13 and 30. Youth encounters and projects are supported through this programme, as are exchanges between experts for youth work. With Discover EU, there are regular drawings for Interrail travel vouchers for 18 year olds.

  One important element for young people is the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027. It supports the participation of young people in democratic culture and their social and civic involvement. All young people are to have the opportunity to get involved in society.

  EU programms for young job-seekers

  To the EU’s Youth Portal

• Who can help me in my borough if I have questions about the EU?

  In each Berlin borough there is a central person for EU matters. These are the EU representatives in the Berlin boroughs. You can find which person you can talk to in your borough on the website of the State Working Group of the EU Representatives.

• How many European cultural institutes are there in Berlin and how can I contact them?

  There are numerous European cultural institutes in Berlin. They have joined together in the EU National Institutes for Culture in Berlin and offer interesting events and activities throughout the year.

• How can I find events related to Europe in Berlin?

  The free Berlin European calendar informs you daily about events in Berlin that are related to Europe. Whether it’s exhibitions, discussions, seminars, concerts, presentations or street festivals – in Berlin, Europe is on the calendar every day.

• How does the European Union influence my life in Berlin?

  How the European Union (EU) influences your daily life can be seen in a very descriptive way on the website “EU & ME in the area “How is the EU relevant to your daily life?”

  Among other tasks, the European Union, a union currently made up of 27 member states in Europe, passes laws and regulations that serve as a basis for all EU member states. This creates unified standards, for example in the area of consumer protection.

  Here’s a specific example: If harmful substances are prohibited by the European Union, then all EU states have to implement that prohibition. This protects consumers in the European Union because all German states, counties and cities have to follow the prohibition. Or another example: Within the European Union, EU citizens can work and live wherever they want without needing a visa or a work permit.

  The European Union also allows young people to get to know other languages and cultures through programmes like Erasmus+. It also funds youth exchanges and continuing education programmes to foster international understanding and help young people gain better career prospects.

  Payments within the European Union were also made easier. All countries in the European Union that are also part of the Eurozone use the EURO as their currency. That means you don’t have to exchange money every time you travel to these countries and want to buy something.

  To the brochure Good Reasons for Europe

  To the podcast Irgendwas mit EU

• What does the EU stand for?

  The European Union builds on the values set down in Article 2 of the Treaty of Lisbon and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

  Human dignity
  Human dignity is inviolable. It must be respected and protected. It represents the foundation of all fundamental rights.

  Freedom
  Freedom of movement enables EU citizens to travel freely and without passport controls within the European Union and to freely select their place of residence. Other freedoms such as freedom of thought, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, free speech and freedom of information are protected by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

  Democracy
  The EU’s way of working rests on the principles of representative democracy. All EU citizens automatically have political rights. EU citizens who are eligible to vote have the right to be elected and to vote in the European Parliament elections.

  Equality
  Equality refers to the equal rights of everyone before the law. Equality of women and men is part of all political measures in the European Union and the basis of European integration. It applies to every area.

  Rule of law
  As part of the rule of law, all political powers always act within the legal framework, in line with the values of democracy and fundamental rights, and subject to the control of independent and unbiased courts.

  Human rights
  Human rights are guaranteed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU. They include the right to freedom from discrimination based on gender, origin, religion or worldview, disability, age or sexual orientation as well as the right to have personal data protected and the right to access the judicial system.

  Within the European Union, the EU pursues the following goals (Aims and values)

  • promote peace, its values and the well-being of its citizens
  • offer freedom, security and justice without internal borders, while also taking appropriate protective measures at its external borders
  • establish an internal market and an economic region with the Euro as the currency
  • protect and improve the quality of the environment
  • promote scientific and technological progress
  • combat social exclusion and discrimination
  • promote equality between women and men and protect the rights of children
  • enhance economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity among EU countries
  • respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity

  Information about the most important achievements of the EU

• Where can I find information about the EU in Berlin other than information about the European elections?

  On the website www.berlin.de/EU you can find the Senate Chancellery’s Berlin Portal on EU information with a focus on Berlin. The Portal bundles information about events, funding information, hands-on activities or important contacts in Berlin, and the information is continually updated.

  To the Representation of the European Commission in Germany

  To the Liaison Office of the European Parliament in Germany

  To the Berlin Europe Direct Information Centre

To the English overview

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