Financial support for Oberberg village communities District updates its "Funding Guideline Oberberg Villages"

Oberbergischer Kreis. A new barbecue area, a swing, or an insect hotel: for ideas and projects like these, village communities and registered village associations can apply for financial support from the Oberbergischer Kreis. To this end, the guideline for promoting voluntary engagement projects in the villages of the Oberbergischer Kreis has been updated.

Previously, the district council of the Oberbergischer Kreis had allocated a sum of 50,000 euros for village development in the 2026 district budget. Politics and administration aim to once again appreciate the diverse voluntary commitment in the more than 1,440 villages and settlement communities in the Oberbergischer Kreis.

“I am pleased that we can continue to support the villages in the Oberbergischer Kreis through the funding guideline. It is primarily the volunteers who invest a lot of work, time, and energy to make our villages sustainable,” says District Administrator Klaus Grootens. “The goal of the funding is therefore to secure and further develop our rural areas as places to live, work, relax, and enjoy nature.”

„Economic and demographic changes pose challenges for villages and their inhabitants. With the funding guideline 'Oberberg Villages,' the Oberberg District supports the quality of life in rural areas, for both young and old“, says Frank Herhaus, Planning Officer of the Oberberg District.

Free online information session on the funding guideline 'Oberberg Villages'

Applications for potential funding must be submitted in writing to the Oberberg Village Service by March 31, 2026. All approved projects will receive funding amounting to 80% of the total costs. An additional 5% will be recognized by the Oberberg District as an engagement allowance to support the voluntary work involved in implementing the village community projects.

To realize as many projects as possible, planned projects with eligible total expenditures ranging from 500 euros to a maximum of 5,000 euros will be considered. After approval, the planned projects must be successfully implemented by November 15, 2026.

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 6:30 PM, an online information session on the funding guideline 'Oberberg Villages' will be held via the Oberberg Village Service. Interested village communities and village associations can register for free by contacting Markus Klein via email at markus.klein@obk.de to request the access details.
Further information and application documents for the 'Funding Guideline Oberberg Villages' are available at www.obk.de/fod.

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