Promotion of near-natural development and protection of water bodies (ELER Directive on Water Body Development/Water Protection Brandenburg)

The "Guideline on Near-Natural Development and Protection of Water Bodies" supports projects in Brandenburg that sustainably improve the ecological and chemical status of surface waters in accordance with the EU Water Framework Directive. Funding is provided for conceptual preliminary work (feasibility studies, expert reports, HOAI service phases 1–4), investment measures to reduce material pollution (e.g., technical filtration systems, decentralized wastewater treatment, lake restorations), and near-natural water body development (e.g., redesigns, rerouting, bank management). Applicants may be natural and legal persons, communities, associations, foundations, cooperatives, companies, as well as cooperations of these legal forms. Funding is granted as a subsidy covering 75%–100% of eligible costs; depending on the type of measure and priority water bodies, the funding rate can be up to 100%, and for municipalities up to 80%. Eligible expenses include expert, engineering, and consulting services, construction and planning services, personnel, material and travel costs, as well as land acquisition. A prerequisite is a technical preliminary review by the Regional Working Group (RAG) and valid official permits. Applications can be submitted online from September 23, 2024, via the IAP portal of the Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg and must be submitted by December 31, 2027. Digital application requires two-factor authentication via a BNR-ZD and an authega certificate.

Submission is made through the online application program (IAP) of the State Office for Rural Development, Agriculture and Land Consolidation. In addition to the RAG vote, a project outline, cost plan, financing plan, proof of usage rights (e.g., land register excerpt or building permit decision), approval notices, and for natural persons a contract with a planning office are required. The relevant information sheets on eligibility, technical preliminary review, and required documents are available for download in the MLEUV download area. Upon completion of the project, a usage report with a factual report, accounting documents, and indicators must be submitted. All procedural steps—from cost calculation through bidder documentation to publication obligations—must be documented and conducted transparently in accordance with EU and national procurement regulations. This ensures legally secure, efficient, and impact-oriented implementation of the water protection program.