Applications for Heimatpreis 2022 now possible

In 2019, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia has launched the funding program on the theme "Heimat. Future. North Rhine-Westphalia. We promote what connects people". This includes the "Heimat-Preis", which is endowed with 5,000 euros and in which the city of Bocholt has been participating since 2019. Bocholt associations and initiatives can apply now.

The deadline for applications is August 31. The application form for the competition is available on the website: www.wir-fuer-bocholt.de/heimatpreis.

Prizes for local and regional features

The aim of the program is to get people excited about local and regional features, to preserve homeland and at the same time to shape it for the future. The Heimatpreis therefore primarily honors honorary commitment and innovative projects in the area of Heimat that are worthy of imitation. True to the motto: "Homeland grows from below!" the state wants to honor the local commitment of volunteers.

Projects from the past, present and future

All associations and initiatives in Bocholt can apply for this award. In the application form, they may describe not only the projects they have already completed, but also those they are still working on. Future ideas can also be included. The award also recognizes how the associations work together with third parties and how important the measure, action or project is for the city of Bocholt. It is also judged how innovative they are and what the association would like to achieve with them in the future.

Associations that have already won the Heimatpreis in the past are, however, excluded from applying. This also applies to those clubs that have already won the "Heimatpreis des Landes NRW" or the "Heimatpreis des Kreises Borken". The background to this is that as many Bocholt clubs as possible should benefit from this state initiative, which only runs for a total of 4 years.

Jury decides about Heimat-Preis 2022

A jury - consisting of representatives of the department of culture and education and the department of social affairs of the city of Bocholt as well as one member of each parliamentary group in the city council and one advisory member each of the Volksbank Bocholt eG and the volunteer agency - decides on the entries. The Homeland Award 2022 is to be presented by the end of the year on the premises of Volksbank eG.

Questions about the application process and submission of applications

Questions about the application process can be answered by the honorary activities coordinator of the city of Bocholt, Rainer Howestädt, at (02871) 953-503.

Applications can be submitted by mail or e-mail until August 31, 2022 (the postmark or e-mail receipt counts) to the Department of Social Affairs -Volunteer Agency-, 46395 Bocholt, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Str. 52-58 or e-mail: rainer.howestaedt(at)bocholt(dot)de.

Previous winners

2019: Dorfgemeinschaft Mussum e.V. (local history award of the city of Bocholt)
2019: Heimatverein Suderwick and the citizens' initiative "Dinxperwick" (local history award of the state of NRW)
2020: Pro Barlo e.V. (homeland award of the district of Borken)
2020: Bürgerverein Biemenhorst e.V. (local history award of the city of Bocholt)
2021 Förderkreis Bocholter Handwerksmuseum e.V. (local history award of the city of Bocholt)
2021 Berufskolleg am Wasserturm with the project "Make a Difference" (Heritage Award of the District of Borken)