Small Regions
Support for voluntary inter-municipal cooperation of Lower Austrian municipalities (small regions) to increase cost and resource efficiency and to reduce competition. Applications can be submitted anytime from 23.01.2024.
Discover your potential with AI support
- Find out if this grant matches your project
- Develop your application together with AI
- Get matched with many more suitable grants
Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for measures at the small regional level that, through joint resolutions of several municipalities, strengthen inter-municipal cooperation in Lower Austria, increase cost and resource efficiency, and reduce competition.
Eligible expenses
- Project costs
- External consulting services
- Coaching services
Non-eligible expenses
- Investment measures outside of small regional funds
- Tourism projects
- Agricultural projects
- Exclusive marketing measures
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
Funding requirements
- Recognized small region with consistent municipal council resolutions
- At least three participating municipalities or six municipalities with a minimum population of 8,000
- Submission of a current small regional mission statement (strategy plan, development or framework concept)
- Resolution document of the respective committee
- Proof of organizational form and authority to represent
Documents required for application
- Project description with schedule and target groups
- Strategic anchoring at the main regional level
- Mission statement/strategic concept of the small region
- Cost and financing plan including comparative offers
- Resolution document of the municipal council
- Proof of organizational form and authorization to represent
- Proof of compliance with legal requirements
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative strength and strategic relevance
- Regional cooperation and networking
- Financial dimension
Description
The "Small Regions" funding program supports voluntary associations of at least three municipalities in Lower Austria with the aim of strengthening inter-municipal cooperation and sustainably increasing cost and resource efficiency. Public institutions, interest groups, or other associations can submit applications at any time from January 23, 2024. Projects at the small regional level that are anchored in a joint strategy plan ("Small Regional Strategy Plan," development or framework concept) are eligible for funding. Measures from the Small Regions Fund can be supported with a funding rate of 50% (max. €15,000) or, for spatial development projects, 60% (max. €18,000) of eligible costs. External consulting and coaching services are funded up to 60%, and flat-rate consulting fees for the strategy plan are compensated with a bonus funding rate of up to €2,400 per year. A current small regional mission statement and consistent municipal council resolutions from all participating municipalities are prerequisites.
Selection is based on innovativeness, regional networking, and financial scale. Applicants must submit a project description with a timeline and financing plan, resolution documents, mission statement or strategy concept, as well as cost and financing documentation. Only project-related expenses such as external consulting, coaching, and project costs are funded. Tourism projects, pure marketing measures, or individual investment measures outside the fund are excluded. Payment is made after final verification of the accounting documents; receipts must be retained until the end of the retention period. The approved funds make an important contribution to the sustainable strengthening of regional cooperation and the reduction of competition between municipalities.
Ready to secure your funding?
Register now and let our AI guide you through the application process – from eligibility check to finished application.