Rural Development Program (ELR)
Grants for sustainable, structural improvement measures in rural communities of Baden-Württemberg in the funding priorities of housing, basic services, employment, and community facilities. Applications possible until 30.09.2025.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for municipalities, businesses, and private individuals in investments for inner development, strengthening town centers, securing basic services, and creating sustainable jobs in the rural areas of Baden-Württemberg.
Eligible expenses
- Construction measures (new construction, conversion, change of use)
- Site development and infrastructure
- Purchase price for buildings (excluding land)
- Machinery and equipment
- Own contributions and personnel costs for citizen participation
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Non-eligible expenses
- Value-added tax
- Rental apartments in new buildings
- Land acquisition costs
- Retroactive costs
- Vehicles with road traffic approval
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Individuals
- Public Institutions
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
Funding requirements
- Application by municipalities or inter-municipal associations
- Minimum investment amount €5,000
- SMEs with fewer than 100 employees for aid-relevant projects
- New construction processes only with CO₂-binding building materials
- Infill development concept required in the housing funding focus
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Documents required for application
- Admission application (form ELR-1)
- Project description (forms ELR-2/3/4/5)
- Cost estimate according to DIN 276
- Site plan with boundaries
- Survey of building gaps and vacancies
- Proof of basic supply needs
- Legal supervisory opinion
Evaluation criteria
- Contribution to inner development and strengthening of town centers
- Climate protection and climate resilience
- Sustainable structural improvement
- Model character of municipal residential environment measures
- Urgency of basic services
Description
The Rural Development Program (ELR) supports sustainable, structural measures in the rural municipalities of Baden-Württemberg. The focus of this funding is on four key areas: Inner Development/Housing to activate village centers through repurposing, adding stories, or modernization; Basic Supply to secure local services such as village shops and medical practices; Work to preserve and create decentralized jobs; and Community Facilities for multipurpose and cultural centers. Additionally, the program supports preparatory citizen participation processes and concept development. The use of CO₂-binding building materials is rewarded with a funding bonus, emphasizing the contribution to climate protection. Furthermore, exemplary concepts for climate adaptation in the local environment are specially rewarded and can be funded up to 50% of the expenses.
Applicants from municipalities, SMEs, private individuals, associations, or organizations can receive grants between 10% and 70% of eligible expenses (minimum investment €5,000). Applications must be submitted exclusively through the municipal administration or inter-municipal cooperations. New constructions are only permitted if predominantly CO₂-binding building materials are used; for housing-related projects, a building gap concept is mandatory. SMEs with more than 100 employees are excluded; ineligible costs include, among others, value-added tax, land acquisition costs, retroactive expenses, rental apartments in new buildings, photovoltaic systems, and vehicles. Prerequisites for application submission include the ELR forms (ELR-1 to ELR-5), a DIN 276 cost estimate, a site plan, building gap and vacancy survey, as well as proof of basic supply needs. Applications must be submitted via the responsible regional councils by 30.09.2025; project start from 01.01.2026. The grant amount per project ranges from €5,000 to €750,000. Decisions are made based on criteria such as contribution to inner development, climate protection, sustainable structural improvement, and urgency of supply services.