How much Europe is actually in Chemnitz?
Since 2014, the city of Chemnitz has implemented a total of 413 EU-funded projects and events. European cooperation has a long tradition: Chemnitz has been actively involved in European work since 1995. Today, the city maintains an official partnership with twelve cities around the world and is represented in eleven European networks.
Chemnitz is also extensively involved in European issues in society: over the past eleven years, 39 European Action Weeks have been organised, focusing on topics such as sport, mobility, European education and democracy.
Chemnitz has also been honoured with the European Energy Award five times, receiving prize money totalling around 158,000 euros.
EU funding strengthens urban development
Europe is not only present in Chemnitz in terms of ideas, but also financially. Since 2014, around 60 million euros have been channelled into the city from EU funding. These funds come from various programmes such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF), the Just Transition Fund (JTF), Erasmus+ and other funding initiatives.
For example, a total of €33.2 million was provided by the EU for various districts between 2015 and 2025 as part of the ERDF funding programme. The EU is providing a further €5.5 million from the ESF funding programme for projects in the Mitte and Chemnitz-Süd districts. In addition, over 32 million euros will be made available from the Just Transition Fund between 2021 and 2027, primarily to support companies.
Programmes such as Erasmus+ (more than 414,000 euros since 2014) and other EU initiatives such as Horizon, Interreg and Creative Europe (around 21 million euros since 2010) also make a significant contribution to the city's European networking and development.
Chemnitz can look back on an extraordinary year: as European Capital of Culture, we have impressively demonstrated how lively and diverse European cooperation can be on the ground. Last year alone, 176 projects were realised. And even beyond the European Capital of Culture year, Chemnitz remains part of the European cultural community as a member of the ECOC Family (European Capital of Culture). We have a clear self-image: we are the Capital of Culture forever.
Europe Weeks in May: Chemnitz celebrates Europe
The whole of May in Chemnitz is dedicated to Europe. During the Europe Weeks, the city is organising a diverse programme together with numerous stakeholders from 1 to 31 May. Discussions, specialist lectures, cultural performances, music, film, quizzes and hands-on activities invite you to experience Europe with all your senses.</p
<p>The Europe Weeks are aimed at people of all generations and emphasise Chemnitz as a cosmopolitan place in a vibrant European region.
Selected programme highlights:
Europe Garage
7 May 2026, 2 to 7 pm
Garage Campus, Zwickauer Straße 164
Open consultation hour on European topics, project presentations and exchange opportunities
Organiser: EUROPE DIRECT Chemnitz
Admission free
European Neighbourhood Festival in the Rosenhof
8 May 2026, 2 to 7 p.m.
Rosenhof 18
Encounters between European communities with music, hands-on activities and culinary delights
Organiser: City of Chemnitz
Admission free
European reception and panel discussion
11 May 2026, 5 to 8 p.m.
Hartmannfabrik, Fabrikstraße 11
Discussion on the future of Europe with international guests followed by a reception
Organiser: City of Chemnitz
Registration required at www.chemnitz.de/europaempfang
Admission free.
Evening event of the Bundesbank on the topic of "digital euro"
20 May 2026, 6 to 9 p.m.
German Bundesbank - Chemnitz Branch, Zschopauer Straße 49
Discussion on the "Digital Euro" project and the next stage in the development of central bank money.
Organiser: Deutsche Bundesbank
Admission free.