Measures from compensatory payments of the Nature and Environment Foundation Rhineland-Palatinate

The Nature and Environment Foundation Rhineland-Palatinate supports nature conservation and landscape management measures in Rhineland-Palatinate through earmarked compensatory payments. Funded are investment projects that bring areas into a permanently higher ecological condition, as well as their implementation and long-term maintenance over a project period of up to 180 months. Eligible applicants are primarily municipalities, nature conservation authorities, associations, foundations, and other legal entities capable of enhancing and maintaining areas in accordance with the State Compensation Ordinance. A 100 percent reimbursement of eligible expenses is possible, provided that the need and feasibility of ecological enhancement are demonstrated, the area lies within a protected area framework (§ 7 para. 1 LNatSchG), and no other legal obligation to carry out the measure exists. Examples of funded projects range from extensive grazing and renaturation of water bodies to the creation of habitat connectivity structures and the removal of previously sealed surfaces.

Submissions are possible on an ongoing basis; the application process follows public funding law (§ 44 LHO) and is conducted through the Nature and Environment Foundation Rhineland-Palatinate. Required documents include, among others, the measure application, the A1 cost plan, the A2 cost breakdown, the F1 parcel list, as well as the application information sheet. Personnel costs of permanent staff are only eligible if project-related proof is provided. The Foundation reviews applications several times a year based on nature conservation criteria and issues the funding decision in a grant approval notice. The continuous submission of applications and full coverage of eligible expenses provide planning security and enable sustainable enhancement of nature and landscape in Rhineland-Palatinate.