Funding criteria defined for the Southwest Saxony master plan

The funds from the special fund for the “Southwest Saxony Master Plan” are to flow into selected projects. Details for the selection have now been determined. The government determined the funding route at its cabinet meeting, as the State Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Regina Kraushaar (CDU), announced in Dresden.

This will therefore be a case-by-case basis. Where the funding goes is not determined across the board, but is decided based on the respective project. This is intended to maintain flexibility in approval and control. The region itself makes the pre-selection, and the specific list is then coordinated with the government.

100 million euros for structural change

By 2036, a total of 4.83 billion euros will flow to the Free State from the federal government's “Infrastructure and Climate Neutrality” special fund. 100 million of this are reserved for the “South-West Saxony Master Plan”. The funding is intended to support the profound structural change in the districts of Zwickau, Central Saxony, the Erzgebirgskreis, Vogtlandkreis and the city of Chemnitz.

126 projects have already been submitted, said Kraushaar. The region is expected to develop a shortlist proposal by mid-December. The coordination with the state government then involves, among other things, whether the projects are eligible for funding, meet the necessary criteria and whether they can be financed from existing funding programs.

National appeal and added value are tough criteria when making the selection, said Kraushaar. The projects ultimately receive approval for funding from the Saxon state directorate.

Funding for investment projects

The money should only go to projects that cannot receive any funding from previous funding, as Kraushaar emphasized. It is available for investment projects in various areas - from transport to care and education to civil protection.

According to the ministry, the specific design of a project is crucial. According to the requirements of federal law, investments in property, but also necessary measures directly related to them, are eligible for funding. Ongoing costs and pure maintenance measures cannot be financed. Independent concepts or studies are only possible if they have a specific connection to an eligible investment.