Funding in Berlin

Name of programme:

BENE 2: Funding period 2021–2027

Aim/purpose of funding:

The Berlin Program for Sustainable Development (BENE) 2 aims to contribute to a greener, low-carbon Europe by promoting clean energy and a fair energy transition, green and blue investments and adaptation to climate change. The projects are funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of Berlin.

Type of funding:

Project-related grants and non-repayable subsidies

What does it fund?

The funding program focuses on the following six funding priorities:

1: Energy efficiency
To increase energy efficiency in the state of Berlin, funding is provided for projects that contribute to reducing the emission of climate-damaging gases.

2: Environmental and energy management systems
The funding of environmental and energy management systems is intended to reduce environmental pollution and contribute to increasing energy efficiency

3: Intelligent energy systems, grids and storage systems
The state of Berlin supports projects relating to intelligent energy systems, grids and storage systems, either individually or in neighborhoods.

4: Adaptation to climate change
In order to adapt to climate change, the state of Berlin supports projects that contribute to securing and creating climatic relief areas or promote the expansion of the city as a “sponge city”.

5: Protecting and preserving urban nature and reducing pollution
The state of Berlin supports projects to protect and preserve nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure in the urban environment and to reduce pollution.

6: Sustainable, multimodal urban mobility
Sustainable urban mobility in Berlin is to be promoted by increasing the attractiveness of the environmental alliance (local public transport, cycling and walking) and promoting environmentally friendly drive systems.

Who does it fund?

Eligible applicants are:

• Head offices, district administrations and subordinate institutions;
• corporations, institutions and foundations under public law;
• non-profit, charitable and church institutions;
• public and private companies as well as business cooperations with a permanent establishment or branch office in Berlin.

Natural persons are not eligible to apply, with the exception of persons who are self-employed in a trade or craft.

Funding conditions:

• Funding is provided for projects in the state of Berlin.
• Funding is only granted for projects that would not be realized without funding or would not be realized to the necessary extent or with a significant delay.
  • Each potential project must meet the following applicable funding requirements for selection:
  • Reliability and capacity of the beneficiary
  • Secured overall financing
  • Compliance of the project with the principles of sound financial management
    Technical appropriateness of the project
• Applications for funding must be submitted before the start of the project

Duration of programme:

This funding guideline applies from the day after publication in the Official Gazette for Berlin and runs until 30.06.2027 - including a six-month buffer for applications that have not yet been decided.

Full funding guidelines can be found here (in German).

Further Information: Senatsverwaltung für Mobilität, Verkehr, Klimaschutz und Umwelt