ESF PLUS Federal Program "Education, Economy, Work in the Neighborhood – BIWAQ"

The ESF PLUS federal program “Education, Economy, Work in the Neighborhood – BIWAQ” funds projects nationwide in disadvantaged urban districts that link education, economy, and social affairs. The goal is to visibly anchor qualification and further training opportunities within the neighborhoods, thereby not only increasing the employability of unemployed and long-term unemployed individuals but also strengthening the local economic location. Primarily small and medium-sized enterprises benefit from skilled labor measures, for example in the construction industry or in the field of digitalization. Through investments in infrastructure, urban renewal, and cultural heritage, the program contributes to sustainably upgrading neighborhoods and promoting social cohesion. As a partner of the urban development funding program “Social Cohesion,” BIWAQ complements investment measures with tailored qualification modules that directly benefit the neighborhood.

Eligible for funding are public sponsors from municipalities with active or former areas of the “Social City” or “Social Cohesion” programs. In particular, young adults over 18 years, (long-term) unemployed persons, non-employed individuals, low-skilled persons, as well as people with a migration background can utilize individual support offers in cooperation with regional companies. Applications are submitted exclusively digitally via the funding portal Z-EU-S and can be made from August 1 to October 15, 2025. Municipal sponsors should observe the funding requirement of a neighborhood with a socio-spatial orientation and submit their projects on time in order to benefit from grants from the European Social Fund and the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building.