Federal Program "Blue Ribbon Germany"
A nationwide funding program for the renaturation of waterways and floodplains aimed at restoring natural ecosystems, promoting biodiversity, and creating attractive recreational areas. Ongoing funding.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The program supports measures for the renaturation of federal waterways and floodplains to improve the habitats of rare animal and plant species, regulate high and low water balances, and thus contribute to the implementation of national and EU strategic objectives in nature conservation.
Eligible expenses
- Preliminary investigations
- Biotope management measures
- Land acquisition
- Personnel expenses
- Material costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Permanent maintenance measures
- Operating expenses
- Follow-up costs
Eligible to apply
- Non-profit Organizations
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Headquartered in the Federal Republic of Germany
- Project outline must be submitted
- Compatibility with maritime uses must be ensured
- Appropriate own contribution is required
Documents required for application
- Project outline
- Sample financing plan
- Project description
- Application
Evaluation criteria
- Eligibility of the project outline
- Contribution to renaturation and habitat connectivity
- Compatibility with navigational uses
- Adequacy of the own contribution
Description
The federal program "Blue Ribbon Germany" offers nationwide financial support for projects that promote the renaturation of waterways and floodplains. The program aims to restore natural ecosystems, increase biodiversity, and create attractive recreational areas. By providing grants covering up to 75% of eligible expenses, such as preliminary studies, biotope management measures, and material costs, it simultaneously seeks to implement measures for regulating high and low water levels and improving water- and floodplain-dependent habitats.
The funding is targeted at non-profit organizations and public institutions based in Germany that wish to implement innovative and sustainable projects in the fields of environmental, climate, and animal protection. A key aspect is the compatibility of the planned measures with existing navigational uses. Project outlines, sample financing plans, and project descriptions are reviewed in a two-stage selection process, focusing on fundamental eligibility for funding and the contribution to developing a nationwide biotope network. Support extends throughout the entire implementation phase of a project, which can last up to 120 months, and aims to sustainably interconnect river, shore, and floodplain areas.
The long-term funding aligns with national as well as EU strategic objectives, including nature conservation, energy efficiency, and climate protection. Thus, the program contributes to sustainability and ecological resilience by supporting the restoration of endangered habitats and fostering societal dialogue on preserving intact river landscapes. The detailed guidelines and forms make the application process transparent and enable targeted collaboration between federal, state authorities, and regional stakeholders. Overall, the program provides a valuable platform for implementing regional renaturation projects that are of great ecological and social significance.