Promotion of Wilderness Development in Germany (Wilderness Fund)
Nationwide funding program for the purchase and protection of wilderness areas and usage rights in accordance with the National Biodiversity Strategy. Call for proposals until 31.12.2030.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for the development and permanent protection of large-scale wilderness areas in Germany to achieve the two-percent target of the National Strategy on Biological Diversity through the purchase of land, usage rights, or compensation payments for the permanent renunciation of economic uses.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase of wilderness areas or parts thereof
- Incidental acquisition costs (real estate transfer tax, notary, court)
- Compensation payments for permanent waiver of use
Non-eligible expenses
- Expenses for application preparation
- Operating expenses
- Costs for the management plan
Eligible to apply
- Individuals
- Companies
- Non-profit Organizations
- Public Institutions
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
- Foundations
Funding requirements
- Located in the Federal Republic of Germany
- Federal states are not eligible to apply
- Proof of a current expert opinion
- Registration of the security in the land register
Documents required for application
- Current appraisal report
- Electronic application form of the ZUG
- Management concept to meet quality criteria
- Proof of land register entry or priority notice of conveyance
- Site plan and area map
Evaluation criteria
- Ecological value and suitability of the area
- Size and configuration of the areas
- Quality criteria of the NBS definition
Description
The Wilderness Fund supports the nationwide purchase and permanent protection of large-scale wilderness areas in accordance with the National Biodiversity Strategy. Funding is provided to private and public applicants as well as foundations, nature conservation organizations, and associations based in Germany. The goal is to achieve the two-percent wilderness target through the acquisition of forest, moor, or floodplain areas, usage rights, or compensation payments for foregoing economic exploitation. The funding amount can cover up to 100% of eligible expenses, including property transfer tax, notary fees, and court charges. The measure must be supported by a current market value appraisal; the areas must be secured in the land register with a lien and be located within Germany. State-owned lands are excluded; application preparation costs, operating expenses, and management plan costs are not eligible. Selection criteria include ecological value, area size, and suitability according to the quality standards of the NBS.
Projects may be submitted until December 31, 2030; approval is granted by the project sponsor ZUG gGmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection as well as the MLEUV Brandenburg. Required for application are an electronic application form, current appraisal report, management concept, proof of land register entry, as well as site plan and area map. In addition to acquisitions, consolidation and expansion areas as well as process protection areas are funded, provided they prospectively reach the minimum target of 500 hectares (floodplains, moors) or 1,000 hectares (forest, upland). The program is aimed at landowners, environmental foundations, and nature conservation organizations that wish to permanently secure contiguous natural areas and contribute to the appreciation of wild nature among the public.
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