The topic is also very important for Kevelaer. That is why the pilgrimage town of Kevelaer restructured its funding management department in 2020 and created a central position for this purpose. Michael Simons has held the position of Funding Manager since May 1, 2020. He acts as an intermediary between the granting authorities and the municipal departments and ensures that measures receive financial support. He supports and assists municipal departments in the initiation, planning and implementation of projects. Funding helps municipalities to overcome financial hurdles and implement projects that would not be possible without this support due to limited budgetary resources. The financial resources come from various sources, such as state institutions of the European Union, the federal government or the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. These funds are often tied to specific purposes and are used to support specific projects. Previously, applications for funding in Kevelaer were researched and applied for independently by the respective specialist departments. The change from a decentralized to a centralized system relieves the burden on the specialist departments and the donors now only have one contact person at the municipal administration.
Tasks of the subsidy management
The work of funding management begins even before an application is submitted. From researching funding and checking the eligibility requirements to liaising with the relevant specialist departments and compiling the necessary documents for the individual funding application, funding management involves various steps and stakeholders. Depending on the measure, this process can be very time-consuming. In addition, the funding applications usually have to be approved before the construction projects can start. These and many other factors must be taken into account in funding management. If an application for funding is approved, this triggers new processes, such as invitations to tender for the respective measure. As public clients, local authorities must comply with public procurement law for projects. At the pilgrimage town of Kevelaer, funding management is directly linked to the central procurement office so that the closely linked processes can be carried out smoothly.
Subsidies support urban projects
Every year, around 30 projects are managed centrally with milestones and deadlines. It is also important to maintain an overview of the funding landscape. In North Rhine-Westphalia alone, there can be up to 500 different funding pots.
The improvement of leisure facilities, the new youth administration center or the measures to renew the city center as well as the new park guidance system are just a few of the projects that would not have come to fruition without funding. Approval notices have currently been received for funding for the following projects: for the construction of three outdoor fitness trails in Kervenheim, Twisteden and Wetten, for the creation of a climate impact adaptation concept and for the expansion and renovation of the bicycle facility at the train station.
The job of funding manager is very varied and you are in constant communication with the departments - which is exactly what Michael Simons likes about his work: "I am often one of the first to know the direction in which the city is developing." In his job, he is involved in many projects and supports them from start to finish. The large number of municipal projects and the extensive funding opportunities make it clear how important funding management is and why funding management has been centralized in the Kevelaer city administration.