Citizens' committee & disposition fund

A central component of the "At home in the centre" project is the introduction of a disposal fund, which was also available in Nieder-Roden with €100,000. This fund played a decisive role in the targeted upgrading of the centre.

Project ideas that arose from local involvement could be financed flexibly and unbureaucratically through the utilisation fund. The disposal fund focused on measures to revitalise the district centre around Puiseauxplatz. The available financial resources could be used flexibly, but required the approval of the citizens' committee.

The grant per measure was limited to a maximum amount of €20,000 (gross). Funding above this value limit was only granted in the case of special municipal interest via a vote by the citizens' committee. The de minimis limit was €100 (gross) total costs, i.e. measures with total costs of less than €100 (gross) were not subsidised.

Projects that served the common good and could be expected to benefit the programme area were to be subsidised from the disposal fund. The city of Rodgau essentially pursued the following objectives with the allocation of funds from the utilisation fund in the programme area:

• Activation and expansion of civic engagement and the opportunity to help shape it
• Revitalisation of the district centre
• Development of the Nieder-Röder centre around Puiseauxplatz as a meeting point and place to linger
• Promoting a positive image and identification with the neighbourhood
• Strengthening networking and cooperation between groups, initiatives, associations and tradespeople

Funding was granted via the disposal fund if the following basic requirements were met:

• The projects benefited the assisted area and served the common good.
• They did not serve private value enhancement or individual interests.
• The projects had to be derived from the ZIZ programme's call for projects and contribute to achieving the objectives and the purpose of the funding defined therein.
• Implementation took place within the boundaries of the development area and benefited the centre of Nieder-Roden.
• The project had to be a new measure or a new offer that had not yet been started.

All natural and legal persons were eligible to apply. Applications could be submitted by individuals, residents' groups, clubs, associations, interest groups and players in the local economy as well as other institutions from the development area who wanted to get involved for the common good in the sense of the utilisation framework. The wide range of potential applicants emphasised the diversity of perspectives and ideas that should be of importance for the holistic development of the development area.

Applications could be made using the "Verfügungsfonds" application form and submitted throughout the year to the City of Rodgau (for the attention of the Urban Development Department) or as a PDF file by email to stadtentwicklung@rodgau.de. The application form was available to download free of charge. Following a favourable decision by the citizens' committee and the city administration, approval was granted in the form of a written funding decision.

• Investment measures in public spaces, such as
  • Furnishing
  • Lighting
  • Art
  • Greening
  • Investments in infrastructure
  • Elimination of vacancies in local shops (e.g. interim use)

• Non-investment measures, such as the organisation and implementation of events, e.g.
  • Neighbourhood festivals
  • Sports events
  • Cultural events
  • socio-cultural projects
  • Workshops
• Remuneration for authorised representatives, e.g.
  • Artists
  • Speakers
  • Craftsmen and craftswomen
  • Planners
  • Moderators
• Public relations, e.g.
  • Flyer
  • Posters
  • Brochures
  • Exhibitions
  • Information materials

• A public viewing on Puiseauxplatz on the occasion of the German national team's last European Championship group match attracted young and old alike.
• During a Christmas tree campaign, children were able to paint individually designed Christmas baubles and hang them on the Christmas tree on Puiseauxplatz during a festive decorating event.
• The outside steps of the Protestant church were renovated and partly converted into seating steps - a benefit for people spending time on the square.
• A comic book "Der Strumpfdieb aus Nieder-Roden - Aale unn neue Geschischde aus'm Ort" with stories from Nieder-Roden was developed.
• The establishment of the Kultur Mühle was supported - a stylish, socially and culturally orientated retail space for associations, networking events or special cultural occasions.