Saxony wants to improve life in rural areas and will continue to rely on European Union funding to do so. In a policy statement, Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU) warned against letting up on these efforts. “Anyone who neglects rural areas weakens Saxony as a whole,” she said in the Saxon state parliament. The answer, she said, is not “more directives from Dresden,” but rather trust in local people and their ability to take action.
Interest in EU funding remains strong
“People are happy to take responsibility themselves. After all, decisions belong where the challenges arise,” Kraushaar emphasized. At the heart of this approach is the European LEADER program. During the 2014–2022 funding period, more than 1.1 billion euros were mobilized for over 7,000 projects. “Leader does not fund temporary projects, but rather structures that endure—doctor’s offices, village stores, fire stations.” Interest is high, with 1,700 applications already submitted.
