Regional Management Funding Strengthens the Region

Kitzingen In Lower Franconia, two regional initiatives were able to receive their funding notices based on the State Development Funding Guideline (FöRLa) from State Secretary Tobias Gotthardt – the Regional Management of Kitzinger Land and the Region Mainfranken GmbH.

District Administrator Tamara Bischof welcomed the participants and praised the commitment of the Regional Management and the region: “The presence of State Secretary Gotthardt underlines the importance of regional management funding and gives us all further incentive to continue our efforts for a strong and sustainable region. Through regional management funding, our two regional managers Simone Göbel and Maja Schmidt have already successfully carried out many projects in the Kitzinger Land. And as a shareholder of Region Mainfranken GmbH, we naturally also benefit from the funding here.”

State Secretary Tobias Gotthardt emphasized during the handover of the funding certificates: “In Bavaria, regional management stands for sustainability and foresight. With the funding in regional management, we can realize projects that improve the quality of life for people locally and thus make rural areas attractive and livable. However, the funding itself would be nothing without the active commitment of the regional managers who stand behind their projects. Thank you for the tireless dedication to your own region. The complexity of the projects and the results are always fascinating.”

In brief statements, the initiatives presented their future orientation; both had officially received approval as of August 1, 2024. The Regional Management of the Kitzingen district receives funding of 279,000 euros over a period of three years, while Region Mainfranken GmbH receives funding of 519,750 euros.

The Regional Management of the district has been active since 2009 and contributes to shaping the district with projects in various areas. In the current funding phase, the two regional managers are dedicated to two major projects. Simone Göbel reported on the plans for the “Dreamlike on the Move” project, which aims to completely revamp bicycle tourism in the Kitzinger Land: “Current trends and digital solutions will play a role here”. The important topic of climate adaptation for Lower Franconia is put in the spotlight with “Climate(ad)apts”. Regional manager Maja Schmidt is currently developing various event formats and project measures that are tailored specifically to the district.

Region Mainfranken GmbH has been funded through regional management since 2015, enabling comprehensive initiatives in the areas of skilled labor marketing, innovation promotion, and location development. Against the backdrop of demographic change, the focus for the new funding period 2024 – 2027 is on attracting and securing skilled workers for Mainfranken. Particular emphasis is placed on international students from both universities, as well as non-academic skilled workers and auxiliary staff. The existing offerings in this area are diverse, ranging from career tours for students to job profile checks for future apprentices, to lecture series for employers. To continue providing needs-based offerings in the future, surveys are currently being conducted among companies and students. The aim is to strengthen the Mainfranken region as a business location and present it as an attractive place to live and work, explains Bettina Gardenne, Managing Director of the GmbH.

Throughout Bavaria, the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs now supports nearly 65 regional initiatives across the board. The funding program was relaunched in 2024.

In the picture (from left):

Simone Göbel (Regional Manager Kitzinger Land), Markus Beier (Government of Lower Franconia), Tobias Gotthardt (State Secretary, StMWI), District Administrator Tamara Bischof (Kitzingen District), Bettina Gardenne (Managing Director Region Mainfranken GmbH) Maximilian Heil, Anne Pfrenzinger, Tim Gökalp (Project Managers of Region Mainfranken GmbH)

Photo: © Carolin Mäder LRA Kitzingen