Grants for the Management of Protected Areas (Management Guideline)

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Who is funded

The program "Grants for the Management of Protected Areas" in Schleswig-Holstein targets nature conservation associations, organizations, as well as natural and legal persons who wish to voluntarily participate in the professional management of legally protected areas. The goal is to support nature conservation and landscape management in designated protected areas of the state.

What is funded

The program funds expenses for the management of nature reserves, biosphere reserves, Natura 2000 sites, and parts of the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park. Eligible activities include the recording and documentation of protected objects, proposals for measure improvement, protection, maintenance, and development measures, public relations, and the preparation of management reports. Various cost categories such as personnel, material, and rental costs, as well as investments in protected area shelters, are supported.

Type and Scope of Funding

The program provides a non-repayable grant as project funding within the framework of co-financing. The funding rate is a maximum of 90% of eligible expenses. The assessment basis is the appropriate and economical expenses incurred during the approval period (calendar year). Income from the project must be offset.

Conditions and Requirements

Applicants must fulfill management and reporting obligations and must not be in default with proofs of use from previous years. Official approvals and agreements with landowners as well as the lower nature conservation authority must be obtained before commencing measures. The measure may commence no earlier than the beginning of the calendar year and before approval. A simple proof of use must be submitted by June 30th of the following year; for grants over 50,000 EUR, a list of receipts must additionally be kept. Forwarding funds to third parties is not permitted.

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted on the forms provided by the granting authority to the Ministry of Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature by September 30th of the current calendar year. Applications received by March 1st will be given priority. The grant will be disbursed in one lump sum after the grant decision has become legally binding, but no earlier than July 1st of the respective calendar year.

Legal Basis

The funding is based on the "Guideline for the Granting of Subsidies for the Management of Protected Areas – Management Guideline –" of January 17, 2023. It is granted on the basis of § 56 of the State Nature Conservation Act (LNatSchG) and the administrative regulations to § 44 of the State Budget Ordinance (LHO). The guideline is valid until March 1, 2028.