Local Action Group (LAG) Hunsrück
European Leader-Programme in the Hunsrück region 2007 to 2013

The Hunsrück region, a low mountain range between the Rhine, Moselle and Nahe rivers, uses, like during the last funding period, funds of the European Union during the period from 2007 to 2013 to enhance this rurally structured area.

Local Action Group (LAG) Hunsrück

The area of the LAG Hunsrück is a coherent natural landscape in the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate and comprises parts of five different counties. It comprises 1.306.85 square kilometres and is inhabited by ca. 120.000 people. A population density of about 93 inhabitants per square kilometre given, the area is rurally formed. Most of the 200 communities have less than 1.000 inhabitants and in the biggest town Simmern live less than 8.000 people. Nevertheless, the region does grow economically faster than the average of the federal state of Rhineland- Palatinate. This is strongly connected with the Frankfurt-Hahn airport that is situated within the LAG area and that excellently connects the region with several destinations in Europe.
The LAG Hunsrück as board consists of 29 persons, the larger part of them from economic and social partners. In addition the board consists of representatives of local authorities and other institutions.

The Hunsrück Region

Traditionally, the whole region is imprinted by agriculture and forestry. Only a few larger industrial plants are located in the Hunsrück area. Crafts are the main branch of economic activity. Lots of employed persons commute to their workplace outside the region every day. Due to the high quality of live and the attractive countryside, the Hunsrück will remain a favoured place of residence in the future. From the touristic point of view, the region presents a gorgeous mosaic of ancient cultural landscape and wooded mountain ranges with a multitude of picturesque small towns. Especially the Frankfurt-Hahn airport offers very positive possibilities for the development of tourism. Agriculture underwent a significant structural change in recent years. For the future agriculture is well positioned due to its turning to renewable primary products and the production of high-quality goods. In 2004 the District of Rhein-Hunsrück, the largest community in terms of area in the region of the LAG Hunsrück, won the international LivComAward as most liveable community.

Aims of Development

One important aim of the LAG is to gain more added value out of tourism. The existing touristic infrastructure in connection with the opulent historic and cultural heritage forms the basis for this. In addition the potentials of income shall be more diversified to create and maintain jobs in the region. The constructional and social structures in the villages shall be cultivated and developed to assure services of general interest and quality of life. A declared aim is the quest for new ways of energy supply out of regional resources.

Areas of Activity

In order to implement the set aims, the LAG has defined three areas of activity, that shall be filled with individual projects.

* Area of Activity 1: Tourism

The starting points of this area of activity shall be local recreation and holidays to implement the aims and strategies. The touristic infrastructure and the touristic offering in the region also pertain to this area of activity. This area of activity also relates to the historical heritage of the LAG area, the cultural offering and the cultural landscape, which pertains to both forest, nature and the geology and cultivated acreage.

* Area of Activity 3: Rural Development

Rural life, the rural building fabric, the view of place, local communication, precaution for existence, quality of life and organisation of life are part of this area of activity. The villages shall be regarded under the aspect of the identity attributing to the cultivated landscape.

* Area of Activity 4: Energy

In this area regenerative energy and renewable primary products shall be dealt with as well as knowledge and know how about the efficient and gentle handling of energy. Mobility is part of this area as well.

Fields of Action

Within the areas of activity the following fields of action shall be dealt with and be implemented in projects:

Tourism

• Increase added value of private suppliers through high quality tourism
• Develop touristic infrastructure
• Regional marketing for the Hunsrück area
• Tangible history
• Dynamic cultivated landscape
• Geology – explore the roots of mining history
• Connect cultural and historic products and correlate them

Development of villages

• Preserve liveable and social villages
• Maintain and develop grown rural structures and buildings

Energy

• Fund renewable energy and resources
• Energy counselling, development of knowledge and exemplary function
• Sustainable forms of mobility

Transnational projects

The LAG Hunsrück is very interested in contacts to Local Action Groups from other countries of the European Union. Ideal partners would be regions near to airports, that are approached from the Frankfurt-Hahn airport. The experience from the recent funding period shows that a cooperation can be a great advantage for all participants.