The goal of the ERDF is to strengthen the economic and social cohesion in the European Union by reducing the inequlities between the individual regions. The ERDF finances:
Direct help for investments in companies (especially in small and middle-sized companies) for the creation of permanent employment positions
Infrastructure, especially in connection with research and innovation, telecommunications, environment, energy, and transportation
Finance instruments (risk capital investments, funds for regional development, etc.) to support the local and regional development and to advance the cooperation between countries and regions