Sustainable Mobility in Saarland (NMOB) – Urban and Rural

The special program "Urban and Rural" in Saarland targets cities, municipalities, and districts. The goal is the comprehensive promotion of cycling to establish a safe and continuous cycling network and increase the share of cycling in overall traffic. This significantly contributes to climate protection and modern, people-friendly mobility.

The "NMOB-Urban Rural" program promotes investments in cycling infrastructure, including new construction, reconstruction, and expansion of cycle paths, bicycle parking facilities, and measures to optimize traffic flow. Funding covers both construction costs and necessary third-party planning services and land acquisition. Excluded are purely tourism-related projects and feasibility studies.

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant within the framework of project funding. The standard funding rate is up to 75 percent of eligible expenses, but can be increased to up to 90 percent for financially weaker municipalities and up to 100 percent for measures of particular state interest. Specific minimum funding amounts apply depending on the type of measure.

To receive funding, applicants must meet various requirements, including adherence to construction and traffic engineering standards, integration of measures into overarching transport concepts, and ensuring the permanent operation of the infrastructure. Important ancillary provisions concern the purpose commitment, reporting obligations, and the obligation to label the funding.

The application for funding had to be submitted digitally and by post to the Ministry of Economy, Labor, Energy and Transport before the start of the project, by September 30, 2023, at the latest. Approval was granted at the discretion of the authority and taking into account available budget funds. The final settlement and proof of use had to be submitted by November 30, 2023.

The "NMOB-Urban Rural" program is based on the Guideline for the implementation of the federal special program "Urban and Rural" in Saarland from July 2, 2021. It is part of the German government's Climate Protection Program 2030 and Saarland's Sustainable Mobility Strategy (NMOB).