Public projects are of great importance because they address current developments and combine forces to facilitate social change. A strong project idea advances communities and entire regions. The same applies to the funding programs that initiate such initiatives.
But what does it take for an idea to become a funding-eligible application and for a municipality to ultimately receive funding approval? Which municipal administrative bodies are involved, how does communication work, and what regulations must be known and observed? Employees from the municipal associations and the district administration in Bernkastel-Wittlich (Rhineland-Palatinate) set out to analyze these processes and responsibilities together.
The simulation game method was chosen as the methodological approach. Why? This approach creates an overall picture of a system and simultaneously creates a shared understanding among those involved. The German Networking Center for Rural Areas (dvs) supports such questions with its program " Shaping the Future in Villages and Regions " and sponsors the workshops. Applications are still currently available on the dvs website. The simulation game developed for this topic was created in close dialogue with those responsible in the district administration. The necessary playful reduction of complexity generated a few stylistic flourishes and a lot of fun in the workshop.
In the evaluation and action translation, the participants' focus was clearly on: What can we do within the area of responsibility of those present to improve information on applications and funding programs? In addition to communicating a better match between ideas and funding, the second focus of the discussion was on accelerating the response to new funding programs. The ideas circulated and culminated in the proposal for a quarterly funding marketplace . These and other ideas will now be pursued further, and we are excited about the next concrete steps.