City of Chemnitz receives ERDF funding
European Union and Free State of Saxony once again support urban development
Yesterday, Mayor Ralph Burghart received the decisions on behalf of the City of Chemnitz to support integrated, sustainable urban development in the three new ERDF areas "Chemnitz Mitte", "Zwickauer Straße" and "Altchemnitz" from Minister President Michael Kretschmer and Minister of State for Regional Development Thomas Schmidt. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), supplemented by funds from the Free State of Saxony, is supporting numerous projects that serve climate protection, urban ecology and the economic and social revitalisation of these neighbourhoods with funds totalling €12.2 million until 2027.
Together with additional funds from the City of Chemnitz, urban development funding and private investment, this means that €36 million will be channelled into around 30 projects. For example, a fund to support small businesses in the neighbourhoods and a maker workshop are once again planned. In addition, the upgrading of Zwickauer Strasse is planned, including pocket parks on vacant lots. In Altchemnitz, a brownfield site is to be developed into an industrial estate and renewable energy is to be generated on roofs. In the "Mitte" area, projects include urban greenery projects with an association, the development of further construction phases of the "Stadtwirtschaft" as a creative location for the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025, the expansion of the district heating network and the redesign of the "Stadtwirtschaft".The projects funded included the expansion of the district heating network and the redesign of the Markusstraße axis into the "Sonnenberger Promenade", as well as projects to reduce waste, protect against heat and make social facilities accessible.
A few weeks ago, the city of Chemnitz received funding decisions from the European Social Fund (ESF) for the two new ESF areas "Mitte" and "Süd 2.0" (large areas in the former Fritz-Heckert residential neighbourhood). Specifically, this involves a further €2.9 million for 28 projects until 2027, enabling the ESF to work with many committed associations to provide low-threshold education for children and young people and social integration in the neighbourhoods. The projects cover a wide range of topics: from environmental education to participatory theatre and writing workshops to intercultural work with migrants and strengthening neighbourhoods. The funding rate here is up to 85 per cent.
The basis for this is the city council's resolution on the area-related integrated action plan (GIHK) for the promotion of ERDF and ESF areas (B-173/2022). The action plan was developed following broad public participation. The most effective ideas for the neighbourhoods were selected from 110 ideas submitted.
Since 1994, EU funding for urban development in Chemnitz has already helped to improve living conditions and visibly enhance the neighbourhoods in seven disadvantaged districts with 43 million euros in grants.
Further information can be found at
https://www.chemnitz.de/chemnitz/de/unsere-stadt/stadtentwicklung/eufoerderung/bis_2027/index.html
