Last chance for Leader funding: Application deadline ends June 30th!

Last chance for Leader funding: Application deadline ends June 30th!

The deadline for submitting project funding applications under the Leader Guideline for the Northwest Mecklenburg region ends on Monday, June 30, 2025. This opportunity should not be missed, as late submissions can no longer be taken into account [nordkurier.de]. Anyone who has ideas about implementing their ideas for the development of rural areas can take action. Private individuals, associations, initiatives, companies and municipalities are warmly invited to submit their project ideas.

Northwest Mecklenburg is divided into two diverse leader regions: the “Mecklenburg Schaalsee Region – Biosphere Reserve Region” and the “West Mecklenburg Baltic Sea Coast”. If you have any questions or would like support, you should contact the regional management. The contact person for the Mecklenburg Schaalsee region is Karin Homann, who can be reached on 038872 929 120 or by email at [email protected]. Sophie Maletzki is available for the West Mecklenburg Baltic Sea coast on 03841 3040 6687.

Funding opportunities and priorities

The funding is provided as part of the EU LEADER program, which supports projects to improve the quality of life in rural areas and involves local citizens in project development. The goal is clear: to counteract the migration of young people and the aging of villages, while at the same time securing public services. This goes hand in hand with the promotion of economic, social, cultural and tourism projects, whereby the funding amounts can reach into the six-figure range, as foerdermittel-wissenswert.de explains.

It is important that the project ideas fit the local development strategies, be it in the areas of public services, environmental and climate protection, economy, tourism or culture. The projects that have already been implemented in northwest Mecklenburg, such as the skate park in Groß Molzahn or the redesign of the village center in Pokrent, show the diversity of funding opportunities.

The path to promotion

In order to successfully apply for funding, there are six steps to follow: First, you should check whether the project location is in a LEADER region. You can then contact the regional management and submit the application to the Local Action Group (LAG). After approval from the responsible authority, the project begins to be implemented, with regional management providing advice. Finally, the funding is called up. This structure ensures that local actors are actively involved in decision-making and that the implementation of the projects remains sustainable, explains bmel.de.

This process shows that it is worth taking the initiative and contributing ideas to improve rural life. This also represents a valuable opportunity for the region to work together towards positive change. For example, if you are planning a cultural project or a green project, you should get to work quickly and take advantage of the opportunity before it is too late.

Overall, we can look back on 30 successful years, in which over 400 projects were supported by Leader funds in northwest Mecklenburg. This is demonstrated not only by the projects already mentioned, but also by many others that enrich rural life and make it more livable.