Village Renewal – Competitions

Within the framework of village renewal in Rhineland-Palatinate, the Ministry of the Interior and for Sport RLP honors outstanding achievements in rural communities through the competitions "Our Village Has a Future" and the European Village Renewal Award. Eligible to participate are local municipalities and spatially defined municipal districts with predominantly village character of up to 3,000 inhabitants – municipal districts of district-free cities are excluded. The aim is to present exemplary projects that strengthen the quality of life in rural areas through civic engagement. The award recognizes innovative concepts in the fields of infrastructure, science, social cohesion, as well as responses to the challenges of demographics and climate change. A three-stage state competition (district, regional, and state level) determines the winners, who then participate in the federal competition. Public institutions use the guidelines for the "Our Village Has a Future" competition as the basis for their applications and submit their documents in accordance with the requirements within the deadline.

The events create a platform for the exchange of best-practice examples and encourage the imitation of successful initiatives. By presenting successful village development measures, impulses are given for future-proof infrastructure projects as well as models for a vibrant community life. The award increases the visibility of committed municipalities and motivates further action: whether it is the redesign of historic buildings, the implementation of climate-friendly mobility concepts, or the promotion of intergenerational meeting places. By honoring these achievements, Rhineland-Palatinate sends a clear signal for sustainable and community-oriented development of rural areas.