Targeted projects to strengthen infrastructures: regional development in Lower Austria.

ecoplus initiates, supports and advises on regional initiatives in Lower Austria. A significant contribution to the development of the Lower Austrian region is made with innovative and high-quality projects which use regional resources most efficiently, create jobs, and provide for sustained sources of income. The focus is on investment in regions which are underdeveloped or lacking infrastructure.

Since the launch of this regional support program in 1987, around €848m has been used to support more than 1,814 projects. This has in turn triggered investments of more than €2,2 billion and has created over 17,000 new jobs in the various regions.

The spectrum of initiatives ranges from the creation of regional innovation and technology centers to the expansion of bicycle paths and extends to the improvement of infrastructure for winter sports. Additional areas of focus for consultation and financial assistance include natural, cultural and theme parks as well as increasing Lower Austria's appeal as a location for trade fairs and exhibitions.

With Austria's accession to the EU, ecoplus was able to achieve the integration of its Regional Support Program in the then current EU structural funds programs and thus win additional co-financing means for Lower Austria. In the last program period 2000-2006 alone (from the Objective 2, Leader+ and INTERREG programs) these amounted to around €66m. ecoplus has been able to carve out an important role for itself in the implementation of these programs and has offered one-stop advice, assistance and implementation ever since.

The projects & initiatives division makes individual support from one source possible – from the first steps in obtaining financial assistance all the way to the final invoicing.