Vogelsberg Original: New perspectives for sustainable development 2026

Vogelsberg Original: New perspectives for sustainable development 2026

In the small community of Mücke in the Vogelsberg district, the recent general meeting of the Vogelsberg Region Association was a good place to take stock. On November 5, 2025, the club looked back on a successful year and gave an outlook on the exciting developments from 2026. The regional brand “Vogelsberg Original” will be maintained and further developed under the protective umbrella of the club. This brand stands for excellent regional products and already has 32 producers in its ranks who offer fresh impulses for the regional economy.

The chairman Dr. Jens Mischak warmly welcomed the assembled members and guests. The meeting presented the financial statements for 2024 and an economic plan for 2026, both of which were unanimously approved. There was also good news from the Vogelsberg District Audit Office: There were no complaints about the annual financial statements, which underlines the club's solid financial basis.

LEADER program as a driver of development

A central topic of the meeting was the LEADER funding program, which provides the Vogelsberg region with over 640,000 euros for current projects. During the funding period from 2023 to 2027, a total budget of around 7 million euros will be available, as can be read on the Vogelsberg region's website region-vogelsberg.de. The focus here is on the independence of regional development and a sustainable economy that promotes small and micro-enterprises.

Nine projects were positively prioritized, including twelve smaller initiatives that are now receiving support. Jennifer Berger informed those present about the new study on the bioeconomy, which was commissioned by the Justus Liebig University of Giessen and whose results were presented at the beginning of the month.

Sustainability and innovation

Particular attention is also paid to the field of bioeconomy, in which the sustainable management of resources is to be promoted. A working group dealing with sustainable construction was set up to develop further solutions. The participants also had the opportunity to visit a carbonization plant for producing biochar from regional green waste. It becomes clear that innovative approaches are in line with the desire for ecological sustainability.

A highlight was participation in a Bioball event, which highlights the potential of insect-based, sustainable aquaculture and addresses current trends in regional agricultural science. All the more exciting is the upcoming start of the research study “How much bioeconomy is there in Vogelsberg?” in spring 2025, which could provide answers to important questions about the region's opportunities.

“Vogelsberg Original” has established itself as a symbol of quality, regional added value and sustainability. This development is not only a benefit for the producers, but also for the entire community. Here the identity of the region is strengthened and a good sense of home is celebrated - an approach that is very popular both locally and nationally.

Overall, the positive development of the association and the broad support from LEADER funding shows that the Vogelsberg region is on a promising path to further expand its economic and cultural diversity. We can only hope that these exciting projects will continue to resonate for years to come.