Mellen shines in the competition: silver medal and 2500 euros for the village!

Mellen shines in the competition: silver medal and 2500 euros for the village!

A bright day for the Mellen village community: At this year's award ceremony as part of the “Our Village has a Future” competition on November 10, 2025, the silver village of Mellen was not only able to win the silver medal, but also received a bulging check for 2,500 euros to support its village community. The pride of the mayor Daniel Schulze Tertilt was obvious. “It’s a great sign of the dedicated work being done here by our citizens,” he says, reflecting the villagers’ enthusiasm.

A total of 33 villages from North Rhine-Westphalia took part in this exciting competition, which rewards initiatives that have existed for over 60 years and outstanding commitment to rural areas. Minister Silke Gorißen presented the awards ceremonially at the Haus Düsse agricultural center in Bad Sassendorf, where she underlined the important role of village communities in social cohesion. “Commitment and cohesion are the key factors in securing the future of our villages,” she said at the award ceremony.

Support for Mellen

In addition to the medal and certificate, Mellen received valuable tips from the jury on how to further develop the village community. This support is particularly important as many villages struggle with challenges such as infrastructure problems, vacancies and the effects of climate change. However, Mellen's award-winning concept has proven to be particularly sustainable and will continue to provide a breath of fresh air in the village community in the near future.

The four gold villages that were honored that day - Boisheim, Darup, Helberhausen and Lenne - can also look forward to reaching the national final and will represent North Rhine-Westphalia there next year. These villages impressed with comprehensive concepts and innovative individual projects, which also send a clear signal for the future viability of rural communities.

Accept challenges

By participating in competitions like this, Mellen not only shows entrepreneurial spirit, but also a strong awareness of the need to find inclusive and sustainable solutions. In addition to the silver and bronze villages, 27 special awards in various categories for ecological, social and cultural achievements also received special recognition.

At a time when empty sales areas and climate change are putting a strain on rural areas, the award is a reason to be happy - and an incentive to be even more active on our shared path. Mellen certainly has a good hand when it comes to shaping the future, and the financing and recognition provide further incentive for further initiatives and collaboration in the village.