Award for Projects from Werl, Schalksmühle, Bad Berleburg, Attendorn, and Warstein – Funding Outlook for Additional Economic Projects to Follow

REGIONALE 2025 is heading into its final year – yet the awarding of projects continues unabated so that as many initiatives as possible can still be implemented and supported. In its most recent meeting, the REGIONALE Committee awarded five additional projects with the third star. A total of 14.7 million euros in funding from the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the EU will flow into the region for these projects.

Among the newly awarded projects are a mobility initiative from Werl, a nature project at the Bigge, the transformation of a church into a cultural venue in Schalksmühle, a new neighborhood in Warstein, and an economic project from Bad Berleburg. Together, they represent various facets of the REGIONALE guiding theme of developing the region further in a digital, sustainable, and authentic way—addressing the challenges facing South Westphalia.

3rd Star: “8Giebel” (Schalksmühle / South Westphalia)

Currently, 35 projects are underway in REGIONALE 2025—either already being implemented or about to start. And more will follow. Nature and mobility projects are just as much a part of this as cultural, urban development, and educational projects. The host tours can be organized in the form of walks, bike tours, or similar activities. All hosts receive an attractive starter kit that equips them with suitable materials and tour inspirations to turn their event into a personal highlight. In addition, an exclusive event is planned for them on May 23.

Funding: The project will be supported, among other sources, by urban development funds of the State of NRW until 2028, with a total projected volume of around 9.8 million euros, of which 2.7 million euros have already been provided. An additional 725,000 euros will come from the “Third Places in NRW” funding program.

3rd Star: “waester wohnen warstein” (Warstein / South Westphalia)

With the project “www – waester wohnen warstein,” a forward-looking residential neighborhood is being created in the heart of Warstein’s city center. In addition to barrier-free apartments for different generations, a community area and a “Wästergarten” along the renaturalized Wäster stream will be developed. For this sustainably built neighborhood, the municipality is working closely with a local investor.

Funding: The total cost of the new residential quarter amounts to 5.38 million euros. Around 4.46 million euros come from the private investor and construction company for multi-generational housing, for which additional residential funding is planned in the future. The city contributes 277,000 euros. For the creation of the community center, the open-space design of the Wästergarten, and neighborhood management, approximately 643,000 euros in NRW urban development funding will flow through REGIONALE 2025.

3rd Star: “Sustainable Urban Mobility for the Pilgrimage City of Werl” (Werl / South Westphalia)

First the spa park and sports park, then the pedestrian zone – and soon, mobility. The pilgrimage city of Werl is working to further improve the quality of stay in its city center. The project “Sustainable Urban Mobility for the Pilgrimage City of Werl” was immediately awarded the third star by the responsible REGIONALE 2025 committee. The city plans to introduce a digital traffic guidance system to direct vehicles to available parking spaces. At the same time, the city center will be relieved of traffic and made safer for all road users. The project also serves as an example for the “Vibrant Town Centers” field of action within the South Westphalia mobility strategy.

Funding: The project is expected to receive approximately 1.39 million euros through the “Sustainable Urban Mobility for All” call, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

3rd Star: “COPP – Co-Pilot in Production: Human-Technology Collaboration in Automated Manufacturing” (Bad Berleburg / South Westphalia)

In production companies in South Westphalia, processes are becoming increasingly digital and automated—and thus technically more complex. This poses special challenges for operating personnel, who deal with various data sources and often need an understanding of IT processes. BIKAR METALLE GmbH from Bad Berleburg-Raumland, a specialist in cutting aluminum and non-ferrous metals, together with various partners, aims to develop an AI-based assistance system. It is intended to support employees and help minimize errors, thereby increasing overall competitiveness.

Funding: The project will receive 2.16 million euros through REGIONALE 2025 from ERDF funds and State of NRW funds via the “NEXT.IN.NRW” call.

3rd Star: Experiencing Biggesee in Real and Digital Form (Attendorn / South Westphalia)

With the project “Experience Biggesee Digitally and in Reality,” the Hanseatic city of Attendorn—part of the Sauerland Lakes cooperation—is implementing an initiative that links the region’s tourism, culture, and technology. The goal is to further develop Biggesee as a central living, leisure, and recreational space and to make it newly accessible to residents and visitors. The project consists of two components: a digital experience world using augmented reality to bring the history and nature of Biggesee to life, and a Nordic walking arena developed in collaboration with the German Sport University Cologne and the German Ski Association.

Funding: The project was selected in the State of NRW’s “Erlebnis.NRW” funding call and will receive up to 66,500 euros from the ERDF as well as state funds from the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs, the NRW Ministry of the Environment, and the NRW Ministry of Culture.

48 Projects Awarded in Total

Following the most recent meeting, 48 projects can now be implemented—and more are on the way. “Together with the project leads, we have succeeded in securing over 120 million euros in funding for the region—and, most importantly, using it wisely for projects that truly move our region forward,” said Dr. Stephanie Arens and Hubertus Winterberg of Südwestfalen Agentur GmbH, which oversees the REGIONALE 2025 process in South Westphalia.

In addition to the projects mentioned above, the REGIONALE Committee and later the ERDF evaluation committee also discussed further REGIONALE projects—particularly in the fields of higher education and business. These qualify for a special EU-funded program. The review process takes more time, and funding decisions will be made in coordination with the relevant ministries in the coming weeks.

An overview of all REGIONALE 2025 projects can be found at www.regionale-suedwestfalen.com.

REGIONALE 2025 is a structural program of the State of NRW. It is supported by urban development funding from the federal government and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.