Germany: Special funding program for historic properties

Are you the owner of a significant architectural monument or have you just purchased a historical property? Twice a year - in spring and fall - owners of listed historic properties in Germany have the opportunity to apply to the "Schlösser und Gärten in Deutschland e.V." association to receive grants under a special funding program. The funding program is aimed at private owners as well as development associations, foundations or municipalities that own a unique and historically significant building and would like to bring it to life in a special way. The program is initially limited until December 31, 2024, and designed with corresponding funding, so the latest possible deadline for submitting funding applications is September 30, 2024.

Castles, palaces, historic gardens, manor houses, estates and former monasteries, but also many other heritage buildings are witnesses to our past and represent a unique cultural heritage of German history.

The most important and well known monuments - often in state or municipal hands - draw attract tourists again after more than two years of the coronavirus pandemic and thus generate revenues that ensure the preservation of these monuments. In contrast, many medium-sized and and smaller cultural heritage sites - often in private hands - are threatened in their preservation and existence and cannot be experienced by the public due to a lack of funds for the necessary upgrading and maintenance of the monuments.

This is exacerbated by the cost increases caused by the consequences of climate change and the current energy crisis.

Aim of the funding program

The non-profit association "Schlösser und Gärten in Deutschland e.V." (Castles and Gardens in Germany) has launched a multi-year funding program to support owners of important cultural monuments in Germany in their maintenance work. The program is aimed at private individuals, foundations, non-profit associations, church congregations and municipalities that own listed buildings. Through financial support and expert advice, the owners are enabled to renovate their buildings in a manner appropriate to their status as monuments. The focus is on long-term preservation and sensible use.

The monuments are made accessible to the public in a special way by offering cultural tourism overnight stays. The income from these offers contributes to the financing of the preservation of the monuments. The association also offers training programs for owners on how to renovate and maintain the monuments and how to use them for tourism. The measures supported help to raise awareness of the value of cultural heritage and have a positive impact on sustainable tourism in rural areas.

What is funded?

Funding is available for measures to renovate and restore historic buildings with the status of a monument.

The funding applies to measures that directly serve the preservation of the monument. Rehabilitation and repair can be carried out on main buildings as well as on outbuildings and special structures such as farm buildings, mills or buildings in historic gardens (e.g. former gardener's houses, tea houses, etc.). The funded structural rehabilitation is intended to enable new concepts of use, including the creation of overnight accommodations in monuments. In this way, monuments are to be made experienceable for external guests. At the same time, these new uses should open up sources of income for the long-term preservation of the monuments. New furnishings and equipment intended for use are not funded for non-profit reasons.

The program is aimed at properties with special characteristics in terms of historic preservation and architecture. Unique aspects such as historical connections or regional significance are also taken into account. The program also aims to strengthen rural regions by promoting significant historic buildings. Sustainability and climate adaptation are also important criteria in order to preserve the monuments for future generations. In addition, emphasis is placed on a utilization concept that enables sustainable and accessible use for cultural tourism.

If you are owner of a special historic property in Germany and are interested in receiving funding, you will find detailed information on the page Support Program for Preservation of Monuments & Cultural Tourism Use of Historic Buildings of the association website.