Bocholt Local Heritage Award 2026: 5,000 euros for local voluntary work

The town of Bocholt is now inviting applications for the 2026 Heimatpreis. Local associations, initiatives and projects can apply for the prize money, which totals 5,000 euros. Through this initiative, the state recognises the diverse range of voluntary work carried out locally.

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia has launched a funding programme entitled "Heimat. Zukunft. North Rhine-Westphalia. We support what brings people together", in which the town of Bocholt has been successfully participating since 2019. The central aim of this initiative is to inspire people in the region with a passion for local traditions, to preserve the identity of their home region and, at the same time, to shape it with a view to the future. The award focuses on recognising volunteers who make a special contribution to the common good and social cohesion in Bocholt.

All Bocholt-based clubs, initiatives and committed individuals are eligible to apply. The City of Bocholt's assessment takes particular account of collaboration with third parties, the significance of the initiative for community life, its innovative nature and the future goals of the respective initiative.

"Volunteering is the foundation of our community life in Bocholt. With the 'Heimatpreis', we want to thank precisely those people who, through their ideas and dedication, make our town a better place to live every single day," explains Francis Heitkötter, volunteering coordinator for the City of Bocholt.

To give as many different organisations in the town as possible a chance to receive funding, associations that have previously received the 'Heimatpreis' from the town of Bocholt, the district of Borken or the state of North Rhine-Westphalia are excluded from reapplying. A jury - comprising representatives from the City of Bocholt's Culture and Education Department and Social Affairs Department, as well as one member from each political group in the City Council and one advisory member each from Volksbank Bocholt eG and the Volunteer Agency - will decide on the entries. The awards ceremony is scheduled for the end of the year.

Any questions regarding the application can be addressed to the City of Bocholt's volunteering coordinator, Francis Heitkötter, on 02871 953-2346. The application form is available at www.wir-fuer-bocholt.de. Applications may be submitted by post or email by 11 September 2026 (the postmark or date of receipt of the email will be taken as the date of submission) to the Volunteer Agency, Langenbergstr. 18, 46397 Bocholt, or by email to: ehrenamt(at)bocholt(dot)de.

Previous winners

2019: Dorfgemeinschaft Mussum e.V. (Bocholt Local Heritage Award)
2019: Suderwick Local History Society and the "Dinxperwick" Citizens' Initiative (Local Heritage Award
          of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia)
2020: Pro Barlo e.V. (Borken District Heritage Award)
2020: Biemenhorst Citizens' Association (Heimatpreis awarded by the City of Bocholt)
2021: Förderkreis Bocholter Handwerksmuseum e.V. (Bocholt Local Heritage Award)
2021: Berufskolleg am Wasserturm with the project "Make a Difference" (Local Heritage Award
          of the District of Borken)
2022: Dochdu Kult & Co
2023: "Mit Dir" Youth Farm
2024: Makerspace Bocholt
2024: Förderkreis Bocholter Handwerksmuseum e.V. (Local Heritage Award
          of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia)
2025: Project "Border Stories"