Grants for Water Management Projects (RZWas 2021)

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Who is Funded

This funding program is aimed at local authorities, public-law associations, and municipal enterprises in Bavaria that implement water management projects of public interest. The funding covers the entire Bavarian state territory and aims to secure public water supply and wastewater disposal, as well as improve flood protection.

What is Funded

The funding program supports a wide range of water management projects, from flood protection and watercourse development to the rehabilitation of water supply and wastewater disposal facilities. Eligible expenses are those that are indispensable for the implementation of the project, while certain costs such as land acquisition or repairs are excluded.

Type and Extent of Funding

Funding is provided in the form of grants, the amount of which depends on the eligible expenses and specific maximum funding rates. The maximum funding amount is up to 90 percent of the eligible costs, with specific maximum amounts per municipality and year or per project, especially for hardship cases and measures for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive. Projects can be funded over a period of up to four years.

Conditions and Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate the economic efficiency and cost-effectiveness of their projects. As a rule, projects must not have commenced yet, unless there is express consent from the Water Management Office. Even if no formal consortia are required, inter-municipal cooperation is preferred for certain projects. The use of funds is subject to detailed budgetary rules and must ensure the proper maintenance of the funded facilities.

Application Procedure

The application procedure is multi-stage and begins with the registration of projects at the locally responsible Water Management Office. After a preliminary technical review and the creation of priority lists by the governments, the State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection establishes the funding programs. The formal grant application is also submitted to the Water Management Office, where it undergoes approval and disbursement.

Legal Basis

The funding guidelines are the Guidelines for Grants for Water Management Projects (RZWas 2021), which were issued on the basis of a resolution by the Bavarian State Parliament. They are based on the general budgetary provisions of the Free State of Bavaria and are further specified by additional administrative regulations and ancillary provisions.