Results and recommendations from a five-year evaluation of Germany's flagship programme for energy and resource efficiency in industry

The ‘Federal Funding Scheme for Energy and Resource Efficiency in the Economy’ (EEE) is a key programme supporting German companies in their transition to climate neutrality. The multi-measure programme funds various technologies through different funding modules, including technology-open funding. This paper presents results from five evaluation rounds (2019–2023) for the first time, extending the empirical basis on funding scheme evaluations for industrial energy efficiency. The methodological framework consists of quantitative and qualitative key performance indicators (KPIs) categorized by core evaluation areas. Particular attention is paid to the results on greenhouse gas savings and funding efficiency. As a second focus, recommendations from the evaluation for future energy and resource efficiency programmes are outlined. The KPI analysis reveals no substantial need for structural revisions: With 2.9 billion euros in funding, the EEE supported 9.7 billion euros in investments from 2019 to 2023. It achieved calculated annual gross GHG savings of nearly 7 million tonnes of CO<inf>2</inf>-eq. The evaluation also offers key insights: Establishing a streamlined target system with realistic objectives is important to avoid trade-offs between multiple aims. A stable funding environment, short processing times and clear guidelines support accessibility. Considering evaluation requirements during programme design can enhance data quality for ex-post analyses. Reaching underrepresented groups can be enhanced by engaging multipliers, using new communication channels, and offering targeted support for SMEs. Finally, the evaluation shows that while a technology-open funding approach supports significant savings, technology-focused funding promotes broader engagement and future funding opportunities, underscoring the validity of both approaches in the funding landscape.