European programmes and projects
European funding programmes are key instruments of the European Union’s policy to support growth, innovation, and cohesion among Member States.
The programmes cover a wide range of areas such as research, the environment, digital transition, youth, culture, and many other fields.
Each programme has an allocated multiannual budget according to strategic priorities defined at European level. Among the best known are Opens in new windowHorizon Europe for research, Opens in new windowErasmus+ for education and training, and Opens in new windowERDF or Opens in new windowESF+ for territorial and social development.
This European funding is available to a wide range of stakeholders: businesses, universities, local authorities, NGOs, etc. Accessing it often requires responding to calls for proposals and meeting strict criteria. The European Union ensures that public funds are managed transparently and efficiently. These mechanisms contribute to building a more resilient, competitive, and cohesive Europe. They represent a fantastic opportunity to bring high-impact projects to life, at both the local and European level.
To find out about all the funding programmes available for the period 2021-2027, you can consult the official list on the Opens in new windowEuropean Commission website.
Brussels International: Contact point for European programmes
Contact points play a crucial role in disseminating information, supporting stakeholders, and facilitating participation in European programmes.
In this capacity, Brussels International is the contact point for the following European programmes:
The European territorial cooperation programmes (Interreg), urban policy programmes (EUI, URBACT), and territorial research programmes (ESPON) are financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). They aim to promote cooperation on a series of issues and to co-finance collaborative projects bringing together project leaders from different European regions.
During the 2021-2027 programming period of the cohesion policy, the Brussels-Capital Region participates in the following programmes:
- Opens in new windowInterreg North-West Europe (NWE)
- Opens in new windowInterreg Europe
- Opens in new windowEuropean Urban Initiative (EUI) and Opens in new windowURBACT
- Opens in new windowESPON
More details: Opens in new windowInterreg - Feder BXL
The Opens in new windowNew European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative brings a cultural and creative dimension to the European Green Deal. It promotes sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetic urban spaces by combining architecture, design, art, science, and citizen participation. The NEB encourages the co-creation of projects that improve quality of life while respecting the environment and cultural diversity.
The Opens in new windowTechnical Support Instrument (TSI) is the EU programme that provides tailor-made technical expertise to Member States to help them design and implement reforms. It is a key lever for strengthening the resilience and modernisation of public administrations across Europe in areas such as the green and digital transition, health, education, public governance, and financial management. Member States submit their requests each year, and the selected projects receive strategic, legal, or operational support.
Focus on European Projects in the Brussels-Capital Region
Opens in new windowBe.SHARE addresses the challenge of decarbonising densely populated urban neighbourhoods, such as the North district of Brussels.
The External linkCities 4 Co-housing network is an URBACT Innovation Transfer Network dedicated to transforming the way we approach affordable housing. Anchored in the anti-speculative Opens in new windowCommunity Land Trust (CLT) model, the network draws inspiration from the innovative Opens in new windowCALICO project in the Brussels Capital Region, aiming to replicate its success in five partner cities across Europe.
Opens in new windowPREUSE is a transnational cooperation project that aims at supporting local and regional public authorities to improve the management of their material resources and implement solutions to reclaim and reuse building materials on their territory.
The External linkspending reviews are an evaluation tool designed to improve the effectiveness of public policies and optimise the use of public funds.