Conference Fund for Sustainable Conferences begins a new funding period
Berlin, 6 July 2026 Berlin is continuing on its path towards greater sustainability in the events sector: with new funding guidelines, the Congress Fund for Sustainable Conferences (KNT) is launching its next funding period. The funding programme run by the Senate Department for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises supports organisers in planning and staging congresses, conferences and business events in Berlin in a more sustainable manner.
Franziska Giffey, Senator for Economics, Energy and Public Enterprises: “Berlin remains a pioneer in sustainable and forward-looking conference formats. With the new funding period of the Congress Fund for Sustainable Conferences, we are giving the sector even more momentum. We are providing an additional incentive through expanded funding criteria for events with an international audience, as well as for events taking place in Berlin for the first time. Through the Congress Fund, we are supporting sustainable events that showcase our city as a cosmopolitan and future-proof business location.”
Funding is available for conferences, meetings, seminars and training courses aimed at a specialist audience, which take place in Berlin and meet specified sustainability criteria. The assessment is based on the Sustainable Event Scorecard. This helps organisers to systematically plan, implement and demonstrate sustainability measures. Factors taken into account include climate-friendly transport, sustainable catering, resource-efficient event management and social aspects.
A new feature is the option to apply for additional funding for events that can be proven to be taking place in Berlin for the first time, as well as additional funding if at least 30 per cent of the participants are international guests. IBB Business Team GmbH (IBT) has been commissioned to administer the funding scheme.
Tanja Lorenz, Managing Director of IBB Business Team GmbH: “Through the Congress Fund for Sustainable Conferences, we provide targeted support to organisers to help them consistently integrate environmental and social sustainability aspects into the planning and delivery of their conferences and congresses in Berlin. In this way, we strengthen Berlin as a venue whilst making a measurable contribution to a responsible events industry.”
The programme is supported by the Berlin Convention Office at visitBerlin. As a cooperation partner, it assists organisers with the sustainable planning and implementation of their events.
Dr Jürgen Amann, Managing Director of visitBerlin: “By extending the Congress Fund, Berlin is making a targeted investment in its future as Germany’s number one conference and congress destination. In the competition between destinations, sustainable concepts and reliable framework conditions are playing an increasingly important role alongside first-class venues. This is precisely where the Congress Fund comes in: it strengthens the city’s competitiveness.”
Since 2001, the visitBerlin Berlin Convention Office has been providing event organisers with impartial and free support in planning conferences, meetings, trade fairs and business events in Berlin. As the official point of contact for the State of Berlin, the team advises on the promotion, preparation and implementation of events, facilitates relevant contacts and connects organisers with partners from the hospitality industry, event venues, academia, business and politics. In this way, the Berlin Convention Office plays a key role in positioning Berlin internationally as a leading destination for major events and business gatherings.
Full details of the ‘Congress Fund for Sustainable Conferences’ (KNT) funding programme can be found at: https://www.ibb-business-team.de/kongressfonds-nachhaltiges-tagen
