In Brief
01. Oct 2024

2024 German Funding Guide (Förderkompass 2024)

The 2024 German Funding Guide (Förderkompass 2024) from the Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle, BAFA) provides a comprehensive overview of the various funding programmes that aim to provide support to citizens, companies and institutions in Germany. In times of global challenges, in particular, flexibility is necessary to effect long-term, positive changes. The Förderkompass covers possible sources of funding in the areas of energy efficiency and business development. 

Energy

 The BAFA supports a wide variety of measures to enhance energy efficiency and for the use of renewable energy. Programmes such as the “Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings” (Bundesförderung für effiziente Gebäude) provide investment subsidies for refurbishment and for replacing old heating systems with renewable energy. Grants are likewise being provided for efficient heating networks in order to fund the switch over for existing networks to renewable energy and the construction of new networks. The funding programme for citizens’ energy companies for onshore wind energy projects, in particular, is of great importance within the framework of renewable energy funding. This programme provides support for the planning and approval of wind turbines and funds project-related pre-planning costs, the requisite expert reports as well as legal and tax consultancy costs. This programme funds not just the expansion of renewable energy, but also supports the active participation of citizens in the energy transition process. The aim is to strengthen local communities and to encourage power generation from renewable sources in order to contribute to the power supply in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way. 

Business

BAFA’s programmes can moreover boost the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). The “Foreign Trade Fairs Programme” (Auslandsmesseprogramm) supports German companies at international specialist trade fairs, while the “INVEST – Subsidy for Venture Capital” (INVEST – Zuschuss für Wagniskapital) programme facilitates access to private capital for young, innovative enterprises. Furthermore “The Market Development Programme for SMEs” (Markterschließungsprogramm KMU) supports small and medium-sized companies as they enter international markets.

Recommendation

The Förderkompass thus provides valuable information for anyone who would like to invest in sustainable and future-oriented projects. Those who are interested and would like detailed information about the various funding programmes and how to apply should visit the BAFA website: Förderkompass 2024 (bafa.de)