200 million euros for Rhineland-Palatinate municipalities: Help now!

200 million euros for Rhineland-Palatinate municipalities: Help now!

In Rhineland-Palatinate, a new investment program is launched, which is intended to specifically support financially weaker regions. The state government plans to provide a total of 200 million euros in order to offer the affected municipalities new perspectives and to promote equivalent living conditions. Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) emphasized that the affected communities themselves can submit suggestions for projects. "We want to give the municipalities the opportunity to realize their own ideas," he said.

Affected by this program are 62 associations as well as the cities of Idar-Oberstein and Pirmasens. Five counties-Birkenfeld, Cochem-Zell, Kusel, Südwestpfalz and Vulkaneifel-are also the focus of the initiative. The eligible municipalities are selected based on an analysis of factors such as economic and age structure. This was carried out by the State Statistical Office, which evaluated data from 2018 to 2023.

Diverse project opportunities for the municipalities

The funded projects could include a wide range of measures. Among other things, the municipalities have the opportunity to modernize village community houses that are supposed to create offers for young and old citizens. Educational infrastructure, for example through investments in daycare centers and schools, is also conceivable. Economic Minister Daniela Schmitt (FDP) also called the construction of passenger parking spaces, e-charging stations for electric cars and bike parking systems as examples of eligible projects.

Another interesting aspect are ecological initiative; In this way, measures to green roofs and facades can also experience financial support. Minister of Climate Protection Katrin Eder (Greens) emphasized that applications for the creation of herbal and vegetable beds can also be made- a step towards sustainable urban development.

Start of the application deadline and promotion for refugees

The application for funding is expected to begin in spring 2025, with a subsequent payment of the funds in the course of the year. For municipalities such as the municipality of Daun, EUR 3.6 million for elms, EUR 1.7 million and 6.4 million and 4.6 million euros for the cities of Pirmasens and Idar-Oberstein. According to the state government, the application proceedings are to be designed easily and unbureaucratically, which could benefit a quarter of the population in Rhineland-Palatinate.

As part of the budget debate, the CDU parliamentary group criticized the government initiative and emphasized that the municipalities not only need one-off financial support. Instead, they demand a permanent increase in funds for the heavily stressed regions in the country.