Access to Funding Handbook

This document is the "D3.3 Access to Funding Handbook," published by the European Affordable Housing Consortium (SHAPE-EU) as part of their initiative to promote social and affordable housing renovation across Europe. The consortium operates under the European Union's Single Market Programme and aims to facilitate the implementation of the EU's Affordable Housing Initiative and Renovation Wave strategy. The handbook serves as a vital resource for housing providers, municipalities, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and other stakeholders interested in sustainable housing solutions.

The handbook provides a comprehensive guide to various funding and financing options available specifically for social and affordable housing renovation projects at the district level in Europe. It covers a wide range of EU funding mechanisms, including repayable finance options such as the Recovery and Resilience Facility loans and the Just Transition Mechanism, which are designed to support transformative projects that align with EU climate goals.

In addition to repayable finance, the handbook discusses funding aimed at leveraging private investments. This includes the Cohesion Policy Financial Instruments and the European Energy Efficiency Fund, which can help amplify the impact of public funding by attracting additional financial resources from the private sector.

The document also outlines various grant schemes, such as those provided through Cohesion Policy funds and Horizon Europe. For each funding source, the handbook offers a detailed description, opportunities specific to social and affordable housing renovation, and application procedures, making the process clearer for potential applicants. Additionally, technical assistance facilities are included to support stakeholders in navigating the complexities of these funding sources.

A critical aspect emphasized in the handbook is the alignment of housing renovation projects with EU policy objectives and climate goals. This alignment is crucial for maximizing funding opportunities and ensuring that projects contribute to broader sustainability and energy efficiency targets set by the EU for the 2021-2027 period.

Throughout the handbook, case studies and examples illustrate how various funding mechanisms have been successfully employed in housing projects. These real-world applications serve as a guide for stakeholders looking to implement similar strategies in their own initiatives.

Lastly, the handbook offers guidance on navigating the often complex EU funding landscape, providing insights on accessing resources through national managing authorities. This information is particularly useful for stakeholders who may find the EU’s funding processes challenging to understand.

In summary, the "Access to Funding Handbook" is an essential tool that demystifies EU funding opportunities for sustainable housing renovation, providing actionable insights and strategies to support the development of social and affordable housing across Europe.