Promoting commitment to sustainable development

The City of Munich supports projects and programmes that contribute to achieving the city's climate and environmental goals as well as the sustainability goals of Agenda 2030.

The following areas are particularly important:

• biodiversity and species conservation
  
• education for sustainable development, global learning
• food transition
• fair trade, fair business
• Climate protection and climate adaptation
• Circular economy and zero waste
• sustainable lifestyles
• sustainable mobility
• Environmental protection
• Neighbourhood networks

Projects that strive for greater integration of gender equality and equal opportunities in the areas listed and thus lead to positive social and ecological effects are of particular relevance.

A reference to Munich's climate and environmental goals can be found under "Strategies and goals of the City of Munich".

funding can only be provided within the limits of the funds available in the annual budget. Please note that all project proposals over 25,000 euros are submitted to the Munich City Council for a decision. There is no minimum or maximum limit for non-profit organisations. Project proposals from individuals are limited to 6,100 euros. Material and personnel costs are eligible for funding.

If you receive a funding commitment from us, you must make clear reference to our support in all publications (in both print and digital formats) and at events that you organise as part of the project.

Please use the logo of the Department for Climate and Environmental Protection and add an appropriate addendum in accordance with the ancillary provisions.

Project applications with a funding volume of up to€25,000 can be submitted at any time up to 30 September. The project is realised in the year in which the application is submitted.

Applications for projects with a funding volume of over 25,000 euros must be submitted by 30 April of each year. The decision on funding is made by the city council in the fourth quarter of the year in which the application is submitted. The project can begin in the following year.

you will find a link to the objectives in the list of areas under the question "What is funded?"

The grants we award are granted as de minimis aid if they constitute state aid within the meaning of Art. 107 (1) TFEU. De minimis aid can only be granted if the total amount of de minimis aid granted to a company does not exceed EUR 300,000 over a period of three years. The threshold refers to all grants/subsidies/etc. that a company has received from all public funding providers.

What is state aid according to Art. 107 para. 1 TFEU?

State aid pursuant to Art. 107 (1) TFEU generally exists if the grant awarded by a public funding body is used for an economic activity (see TFEU fact sheet on the distinction between non-economic and economic activity) of the recipient and the recipient's activity does not have a purely local effect. In particular, a purely local effect is no longer given if the activity of the beneficiary is also likely to attract customers from other Member States (e.g. tourists).

What is an undertaking within the meaning of European state aid law?

The concept of an undertaking is interpreted broadly in European state aid law. An undertaking is defined as "any entity engaged in an economic activity, irrespective of its legal form and the way in which it is financed". Further details on this can be found in the TFEU fact sheet on the distinction between non-economic and economic activity. A company also includes all companies associated with it (e.g. subsidiaries).

Important note: An intention to make a profit is not required to be categorised as an enterprise! Therefore, church, charitable or non-profit associations as well as cultural and sports organisations can also be classified as companies.

Why is there a de minimis regulation?

State aid within the meaning of Art. 107 para. 1 TFEU is in principle inadmissible and requires notification or authorisation by the European Commission. The authorisation procedure can take several years.

The de minimis Regulation therefore stipulates that state aid that does not exceed the currently applicable threshold of EUR 300,000 within three years is exceptionally permissible without prior notification or authorisation by the European Commission, as this is small-scale aid that does not have a significant impact on intra-Community competition.

What are the consequences if state aid is granted without authorisation from the European Commission despite exceeding the threshold?

If state aid is granted in accordance with Art. 107 para. 1 TFEU even though the currently applicable threshold has already been exceeded or will be exceeded and this aid has not been notified to or authorised by the European Commission, it is in breach of the applicable law and is therefore null and void. As a result, the subsidies granted would have to be repaid due to this nullity."