Identification and remediation of contaminated sites as well as additional soil protection measures

The funding program for hazard identification and remediation of contaminated sites as well as additional soil protection measures in North Rhine-Westphalia supports the systematic survey of potentially contaminated sites, professional risk assessment and remediation investigations, as well as accompanying soil protection measures. With a grant covering 80% of eligible expenses (minimum funding amount EUR 12,800), municipalities and municipally majority-owned institutions are enabled to safely and sustainably make fallow and contaminated areas usable again for planning purposes, commercial or residential use. Funding can be applied for on an ongoing basis and contributes to improving the landscape, unlocking urban development potential, and averting risks to humans, water, and soil. Projects are prioritized according to a municipal urgency list and classification based on hazard prevention priority in accordance with the Federal Soil Protection Act.

Eligible applicants are municipalities, municipal associations, private law legal entities with municipal majority ownership, as well as economic enterprises of the municipalities. Applications can be submitted at any time in duplicate (written and digital) to the responsible district government. Essential application documents include the completed application for a grant, an explanation of the planned measure, a detailed cost calculation, a timeline, as well as a risk assessment or corresponding expert report. A transparent cost structure and a comprehensible presentation of the urgency criteria increase the chances of success. This forward-looking funding strengthens municipal land management to efficiently remediate contaminated sites and secure them sustainably for future generations.