Feasibility study for the LEADER Region of the Biosphere Reserve Bliesgau and the Saarpfalz-Kreis on a strategy for inner-development of villages including the problem of vacant properties
The feasibility study for REGINE - regional fund for inner development and vacany management is funded by the LEADER program with 42.500 EUR, of which 75% was provided by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and 25% by the ministry of environment and consumer protection of Saarland, Germany.
The LEADER region of the biosphere reserve of Bliesgau and the Saarpfalz-Kreis pursue the strategy of strengthening the inner-development of villages and simultaneously tackling the problem of vacant properties. In this context, the idea to create a regional fund as a control instrument for inner-development and vacancy management in the region was born. Together with the Saar-Lor-Lux Umweltzentrum GmbH, the IZES gGmbH was commissioned by the Saarpfalz-Kreis to develop and elaborate the idea into a viable and workable concept.
In the region, there are many buildings – partly requiring intensive restoration –, which are either vacant or inhabited only by a single elderly person. In addition, there is only a small supply of age-appropriate living space with good and accessible/ barrier-free access to important (local) care structures. In the context of demographic change, the region also attempts to attract and keep young families in the longer term. Here, for example, the offering of renovated single-family houses might help.
In order to tackle these challenges holistically, a real estate/ property fund is to be created as a trustworthy initiator and motivator. The fund shall play an active role supporting elderly people, providing adequate living space as well as taking care of the restoration and marketing of the now available single-family houses.
In the REGINE project, the feasibility of such a real estate/ property fund is assessed. That includes the evaluation of possible participation forms, necessary pre-conditions and existing financial and organisational risks.
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