The ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) and ESF+ (European Social Fund) programs aim to finance projects that rebalance inequalities between territories and promote economic and social cohesion within Europe. Management of these programs has been entrusted to the Regional Councils since 2014. The programs are currently being finalized. These new ERDF/ESF+ programs now address 5 priorities:

• Promoting innovation and digital technologies by supporting SMEs
• Environmental protection and energy transition
• Development of physical and digital networks between different regions
• Social inclusion and improving quality of life for all
• Proximity to citizens in their daily lives and local development

As a reminder, the 2014-2020 ERDF program represented 9.5 billion euros managed by the regional councils:

• 8.4 billion euros: Investment for growth and employment, to consolidate the labor market and regional economies
• 1.1 billion euros: European territorial cooperation, to support cohesion in the European Union through cross-border, transnational and interregional cooperation.