“The Oberberg District is committed to fostering vibrant and sustainable village development in a variety of ways. Our goal is to support villages both consultatively through our Dorfservice Oberberg and financially through the 'Funding Guidelines for Oberberg Villages',” says District Administrator Klaus Grootens. “I am thrilled by what people are accomplishing through their volunteer work in the villages of Oberberg.”
Applications for potential funding could be submitted in writing to the
Oberberg District via the Dorfservice Oberberg by March 31, 2026. All approved projects receive funding amounting to 80% of the total costs. An additional 5% is recognized by the Oberberg District as an engagement allowance to support the voluntary effort with which village communities implement their projects.
“With the 'Funding Guidelines for Oberberg Villages', the Oberberg District provides concrete help to engaged village communities that previously lacked the necessary financial resources to implement their projects on-site. These include construction measures on community centers, playground improvements, village square designs, insect-friendly flower beds, or forest sofas,” says Frank Herhaus, Planning Officer of the Oberberg District. “Our villages are shaped and made future-proof primarily through volunteer work.”
To support as many projects as possible, the total expenditure of a planned project could not exceed €5,000 and had to amount to at least €500. The planned projects must now be successfully implemented by November 15, 2026. Out of a total of 39 applications received, 20 projects can now be funded with the approved resources.
Further information is available at www.obk.de/dorfservice and in the section Funding Guidelines for Oberberg Villages.
Overview of funded applications under the Funding Guidelines for Oberberg Villages 2026 in alphabetical order:
Village Community Bellingroth (Municipality of Engelskirchen)
Project: Pop-Up Village Community Center
Creation of a mobile village center through funding for folding pavilions and beer garden sets
Funding amount: €3,246
Village Community Berghausen-Reichshof e.V. (Municipality of Reichshof)
Project: Gabion Grill Area
Construction of a gabion grill area with a swing grill and larch wood benches.
The gabions will be filled with greywacke.
Funding amount: €3,913
Citizen Association Brochhagen e.V. (Municipality of Lindlar)
Project: New Seating Area for the Brochhagen Village Square
Self-construction of a 6.5m long seating area (long table) and partial fencing of the immediate seating area at the village square
Funding amount: €1,731
Village Community Büttinghausen e.V. (City of Wiehl)
Project: Installation of a seating area at the village playground.
Installation of a robust oak seating area at the newly built village garden house
Funding amount: €2,119
Non-Profit Association Dreisbach e.V. (City of Wiehl)
Project: Installation of LED Sensor Lighting at the Village Center
Installation of four LED sensor bollard lights for the outdoor area at the village community center
Funding amount: €3,080
Gardening and Village Community Association Dümmlinghausen - Hesselbach - Bernberg e.V. (City of Gummersbach)
Project: Renovation of the Boule Court at Dümmlinghausen Mill
Renovation of the existing boule court as a publicly accessible meeting point.
Funding amount: €4,239
Village Community Elbach (City of Gummersbach)
Project: Acquisition of a Fest Tent
Funding for a 4 x 8 m folding pavilion with side panels and storm safety features as a mobile event meeting point
Funding amount: €1,497
Village and Sports Community Erbland e.V. (City of Gummersbach)
Project: Everything Up-to-Date (in the Silbersee Hall)
Installation of curtains with a rail system to be used as room dividers in the Silbersee Hall.
Funding amount: €2,465
Village Community Erlinghagen (Municipality of Marienheide)
Project: Installation of a Forest Sofa
Installation of a forest sofa made of larch wood as a resting place at the Erlinghagen sports field
Funding amount: €594
Village Community Escherhof (City of Waldbröl)
Project: Escherhof Community Square
Construction of a village community square with an embedded fire pit
Various fruit tree plantings
Funding amount: €4,038
Citizen Association Hämmern 2006 e.V. (City of Wipperfürth)
Project: Acquisition of a Folding Pavilion
Acquisition of a 4x6m folding pavilion for the association's events.
Funding amount: €1,232
Village Community Jedinghagen (Municipality of Marienheide)
Project: Playground Enhancement
Installation of a new play equipment (spinning bowl) and a large sunshade as a shade provider.
Funding amount: €1,277
Village Community Lichtenberg (Municipality of Morsbach)
Project: Blooming Village Center Lichtenberg
Planting the village center with insect-friendly perennials and ground covers.
Funding amount: €979
Heimatverein Oberbantenberg e.V. (City of Wiehl)
Project: Event Equipment to Foster Community Life
Purchase of 2 folding pavilions and 6 standing tables for the association's events
Funding amount: €1,640
Village Community Pernze (City of Bergneustadt)
Project: Pernze Playground – New Settlement
Renovation of the existing table tennis table and planting a deciduous tree as a shade provider
Funding amount: €2,146
Non-Profit Association "Neighborhood Rebbelroth" e.V. (GM)
Project: Revitalization of the Pond in the Aggeraue
Revitalization of the pond in the Aggeraue, planting native plants
Integration of the existing Neptune Fountain.
Funding amount: €3,895
Village Community Remshagen e.V. (Municipality of Lindlar)
Project: Fencing and Multifunctional Enhancement of the Outdoor Area at the Village Community Center
Installation of a fence system in the outdoor area of the village house.
Funding amount: €2,465
Village Community Rochollsberg (City of Radevormwald)
Project: “Tötter Bench” in Rochollsberg
Enhancement of the village center by installing a curved bench and setting up planters
Funding amount: €2,508
Village Community & Christian Association Schemmerhausen (Municipality of Reichshof)
Project: Energy Renovation in the Association House
Replacement of old wooden windows with new plastic windows.
Installation of a new door on the ground floor of the association house.
Funding amount: €3,873
Village Community Steimelhagen e.V. (Municipality of Morsbach)
Project: Acquisition of a Sales Cabin
Acquisition of a mobile wooden sales cabin for the village community's events
Funding amount: €2,796
