Finland heads research into natural substitutes for plastics

An ERDF co-funded project will study a range of natural, bio-based fibres and assess their suitability for mass production. These materials could replace plastics in food packaging, filters, textiles, hygiene products and construction materials.

For a green and climate-neutral Europe

These new EU funded projects will help to restore and conserve ecosystems and species we all depend on, move towards a circular economy, improve air and water quality, boost sustainable finance and increase climate resilience in Europe.

Spain and Portugal test organic compost to clean up water

ERDF-funded researchers are testing organic compost to understand how it could reduce the concentration of pollutants in wastewater and lessen soil degradation.

Community-minded makeover for historic houses in Cyprus

Two historic buildings in Cyprus previously housing poor families and now abandoned will be transformed into community spaces to promote social and cultural cohesion. Thanks to EU funding, a total area of 1 800 square metres will be redeveloped.

EMROD – Belgium, Netherlands, Germany pool resources to get tough on crime-projects

The EU-funded EMROD project established the Meuse-Rhine region’s first transnational crime monitoring centre.

Smart Regions: iOS Developer Academy (Italy)

This project shows how EU funds have contributed to attract interest and investment from big companies to create an academy.

Krakow’s National Museum’s collection goes online

An EU-funded project is helping to finance the digitisation and upload of hundreds of thousands of works of art, making them accessible to all, free of charge.

Free treatment for children with heart defects

Thanks to the EU-funded ‘100 hearts for 100 children’ project, some 300 children have received life-saving treatment.

Electric vehicles for natural parks across Spain and Portugal

An ERDF-funded project is financing the free use of electric vehicles in cross-border natural parks in Spain and Portugal in a bid to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

A new kind of care for the elderly down on the farm

To tackle isolation and prevent health problems among seniors, 14 green care farms have been set up across Poland. With the help of EU funding, 225 seniors suffering from mental or physical illnesses or disabilities spend their days on the farms alongside the farmers, carers and their families for up to 6 months.

Supporting small businesses and farmers in Lithuania

Thanks to the EU, they will gain easier access to finance that can help them start or expand their business.

It's edible, sugar-free and EU-funded!

Don't use the plastic straw that kills sea creatures. Instead, get one you can eat.

Slovenia: EU invests in rail infrastructure

The EU 's Cohesion Fund will help upgrade the rail section between the Slovenian cities of Maribor and Šentilj, near the border with Austria in the direction of Graz.

Energy renovation of multi-family buildings in the Paris Region

Île-de-France Energies, the energy transition operator in the Paris Region, developed a unique financing scheme for energy saving works in collective housing.

Ceramics firm reinvents itself

The story of Vista Alegre proves that preserving a vast historical legacy can go hand in hand with an aim to enhance research, technological development and innovation. It was in this vein that the ceramics producer embarked on its EU-funded ‘CerexCor and CristalLux’ project, installing 2 new production units: 1 for sandstone (CerexCor) and 1 for crystal (CristalLux).

A unique hotel in Limassol

A family business employing 15 people, this hotel has become an important part of the local economy. Its establishment was made possible with a loan from the Bank of Cyprus guaranteed by the European Investment Fund-backed Cyprus Entrepreneurship Fund.

EU funding gives Matera a boost

Matera, the European Capital of Culture for 2019, has derived big benefits from EU funding. Its cathedral – which had been closed for 10 years – was restored, returning a valued religious monument to the local community and leading to a boost to tourism in the region. A total of €3 million was provided for the restoration, while a further €6 million has gone on infrastructure projects in the area, such as railway upgrades.

Supporting the development of ultrafast internet in Greece

The European Commission has approved €300 million of public support for Greece's Ultrafast Broadband Infrastructure Scheme.

Upgrading the railway line in Portugal

The EU is investing €68 million to upgrade the Minho single-track railway in Portugal.

This will:

✔️ Boost Portugal's connectivity with the rest of Europe, along the Atlantic coast.

✔️ Promote a environmentally-friendly transport.

Watch 'New World Symphony' by Eugen Dediu

An #EUandME short film about the unifying power of music across borders, with a little help from EU-funded broadband connections...