Sustainable Village Development in Saarland

The Saarland-based funding program for sustainable village development offers Saarland municipalities diverse financial support for the implementation of innovative village development measures. The program is carried out in cooperation between the Ministry of Environment and Consumer Protection and the Ministry of the Interior, Building and Sports and is set to be further expanded over the next three years. With a funding amount of up to 153,000 euros per project, the program enables investments in the preservation and modernization of village community centers as well as the construction of new multi-generational playgrounds. Through the grant, the infrastructural and social vitality in the villages is specifically promoted, thereby addressing the prerequisites for sustainable rural development.

The funding is exclusively aimed at Saarland municipalities that actively wish to work on the development and improvement of their rural living environment. In addition to the expansion and renewal of communal facilities, projects in other relevant areas such as building and monument protection, digitalization, environmental and climate protection, as well as rural development are also supported. The funded measures rely on a broad-based approach that, alongside structural maintenance, also focuses on social integration and participatory involvement of the population – particularly senior and family-related groups. This comprehensive funding model ensures that villages are not only revitalized externally but also preserved long-term as vibrant and future-proof communities.

The program aims to lay the foundation for sustainable village development in Saarland and to overcome structural challenges in rural regions. Innovative project approaches are considered that link various funding priorities, thereby enabling a holistic improvement of quality of life. Through the continuous funding process, participating municipalities have access to a permanent offering that supports both small and larger projects. This strategically oriented measure demonstrates the importance of regional cooperation and modern development collaboration to strengthen and modernize rural areas in a forward-looking manner.