Rechlin fights for a medal: State competition Our village has started the future!

Rechlin fights for a medal: State competition Our village has started the future!

With fresh courage and a lot of commitment, six idyllic places in beautiful Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have thrown their hat into the ring. On July 4, 2025, the starting signal was given for the 12th state competition “Our Village has a Future” in Rechlin, a charming town in the Mecklenburg Lake District. The aim here is not just to look for the most beautiful place, but rather to honor the voluntary initiatives, village clubs and associations that create a livable home in the villages. As NDR reports, this year Rechlin and the municipalities of Ummanz, Kurzen Trechow, Rühn, Grambow and Bentzin are competing against each other.

There is great anticipation because the winner will be announced in autumn 2025 and will have the opportunity to represent Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in the 2026 national competition. The competition, which is announced every three years, is aimed at politically independent communities or village parts of communities with up to 3,000 residents. Dr. Till Backhaus, Minister for Climate Protection, Agriculture, Rural Areas and the Environment, encourages communities to actively participate and emphasizes the ability of people in rural areas to overcome crises together. Information about this exciting competition can be found on the [MV state government website](https://www.regierung-mv.de/Landesregierung/lm/Laendliche-Raeume/Wochen- Unser-Dorf-hat-Zukunft/).

Strengthening the village community

It turns out that rural regions not only offer a high quality of life, but are also developing into vital living, working and cultural areas. The importance of active village communities is underlined by the Federal Government. Committed citizens and creative ideas are crucial to finding sustainable solutions even in difficult times. There are often attractive alternatives to city life in the villages, especially for young people and families.

But what happens when the population falls? The migration is also accompanied by the closure of village shops, bank branches and citizens' offices, which makes everyday shopping more difficult. Innovative approaches are needed here: cooperative local suppliers, mobile offers and neighborhood help can help close supply bottlenecks. In times of high construction costs and housing shortages, it is important to also think about internal development and design villages that adapt to demographic changes.

A sustainable look into the future

The current competition “Our Village has a Future” plays a central role. The winners of the district selections are qualified for the upcoming state round and thus discover new ways of networking and exchange. A vivid example is research on digitalization in rural areas, which is presented at specialist conferences. The Federal Government supports projects to create smart and connected rural areas.

In this way, not only rural culture but also coexistence in the villages is strengthened. It will be exciting to see which location emerges as the winner in the fall and secures a chance at the national competition. The people in the communities are called upon to contribute their ideas and efforts to make their homeland worth living in and to continue to form a strong community in the future.