European Regional Development Fund (Regionalfonden)

ERDF Regional Programmes

Supports Swedish regions with EU backed ERDF funding for digital, innovation, and green transition projects.

Tillväxtverket — the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth — acts as the managing authority for nine European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) operational programmes covering the 2021–2027 programming period: eight regional programmes aligned with Sweden's NUTS-2 regions, plus one national programme. The combined ERDF envelope across all nine programmes totals approximately SEK 8 billion. Calls are issued at sub-programme level in Swedish through the Tillväxtverket calls page (utlysningar) on a rolling basis, with individual calls specifying their own scope, deadlines, and sector priorities within the overarching thematic objectives of innovation (Policy Objective 1), green and climate transition (PO2), sustainable transport (PO3), and regional economic development.

Eligible applicants include private and public legal entities: companies, regional and municipal authorities, government agencies, universities, industry organisations, and research institutes. Individuals cannot apply. A minimum of 60% co-financing from non-ERDF sources is required on all calls — ERDF funding covers at most 40% of total project costs. Specific sector restrictions, minimum award sizes, and TRL requirements vary by sub-programme and individual call. The national programme targets systemic and cross-regional initiatives, while the eight regional programmes focus on the innovation and economic development priorities of each respective region.

Applicants should identify the regional ERDF programme covering their area of operation and monitor the Tillväxtverket utlysningar page for open calls relevant to their sector and project type. All calls and application instructions are published in Swedish. Organisations without an established co-financing partner in place should secure that commitment early, as the 60% requirement is non-negotiable and typically must be documented at application stage. Public sector bodies and university-industry consortia are among the most frequent lead applicants in Swedish ERDF programmes.