Funding for Measures of Natural Water Engineering and Water Body Development (FRL-Gewässerentwicklung)

The Saarland's FRL-Gewässerentwicklung funding program targets public bodies, private operators of hydropower plants, participant communities of land consolidation procedures, and associations. Funding is exclusively for projects in Saarland that pursue water management and ecological objectives, particularly the implementation of the program of measures under the Water Resources Act (WHG).

The funding encompasses a variety of projects in the field of natural water engineering and water body development, pursuing water management and ecological objectives. This includes measures on flowing and artificially stagnant water bodies, land acquisition, and preliminary planning. Certain expenses are excluded from funding to ensure that only ecologically sound and necessary measures are supported. The measures can cover various development stages, from planning to implementation.

Funding is provided as project funding in the form of a grant or an allocation, based on co-financing. The funding amount varies depending on the applicant and the type of measure, with higher rates granted for measures with particular ecological benefit or in cases of inter-municipal cooperation. Project durations are specified in the grant decision, with the possibility of extension in justified cases.

Specific conditions apply to the application and implementation of the funding. These include the necessary legal authorization prior to application, a de minimis threshold for eligible expenses, and specific deadlines for repeated measures on stagnant water bodies. Regulations also exist regarding the start of the project, the earmarking of funded measures and land acquisition, and requirements for ownership transfer.

The application for the program must generally be submitted electronically to the Ministry for Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture, and Consumer Protection. After application, the Ministry reviews it and makes the decision on the grant. The funds are disbursed in stages, and their use must be documented by a detailed statement of expenditure.

The funding program is based on the Guideline for the Promotion of Measures for Natural Water Engineering and Water Body Development (FRL-Gewässerentwicklung) of April 1, 2020. It also integrates provisions from the Saarland Budget Code as well as federal and EU legal provisions in the areas of water law and nature conservation. The official texts of these bases are publicly accessible.