Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Monuments (Monument Funding Guideline – DFRL)

This funding program targets owners of cultural monuments in Saarland, as well as individuals acting with their consent. The goal is the monument-appropriate preservation and restoration of these monuments to safeguard the cultural heritage of the state.

The funding targets measures that directly serve the substantial preservation and restoration of cultural monuments in Saarland. This includes a wide range of construction and restoration works, as well as preparatory studies.

Funding is provided as a grant, generally as partial financing with a funding rate of 10 percent of the eligible expenses. The maximum funding is 10,000 euros per measure, and a self-contribution of at least 25 percent is customary.

For funding, monument or building law approval of the measure, timely application before the start of the measure, and acceptance of the work by the State Monument Office are crucial. The De Minimis Regulation applies, and there are special provisions regarding earmarking and transfer of ownership.

The complete application must be submitted to the State Monument Office before the start of the measure. Approvals are granted in tranches on fixed deadlines, and the State Monument Office decides on the allocation of funds within the framework of available budget resources.

The Monument Funding Guideline (DFRL) of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Saarland regulates the granting of state subsidies for the preservation and restoration of cultural monuments. The funding is provided in accordance with the Saarland Monument Protection Act and takes into account EU state aid regulations, in particular the De Minimis Regulation.