Application start for the Heimat-Prize NRW 2025: Submit now!

Application start for the Heimat-Prize NRW 2025: Submit now!

From Tuesday, July 1, 2025, committed citizens, clubs, institutions and municipalities in the Steinfurt district can submit their applications or nominations for the coveted NRW Homeland Prize. The deadline is Thursday July 31st, so now is the time to take action! The prize, for which a total of 10,000 euros is available, is awarded by the Steinfurt district cultural office on the initiative of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and honors outstanding voluntary commitment in the homeland.

“There is something going on in the region!”, one could say, because this is not just an award, but recognition for projects that strengthen and enrich the community. It is important that the initiative was not more than three years ago or that the first results or successes are already visible in ongoing projects. A jury made up of administration, politics and specialist representatives will decide on the winners after the end of the application phase, and up to three awards can be awarded. All details about the tender and the conditions of participation can be found on the Steinfurt district website: kreis-steinfurt.de/heimatpreis.

Looking back at past award winners

In recent years, the Homeland Prize has already honored impressive projects in the region. For example, first place in 2024 went to the Volkstanzgruppe Laggenbeck e.V. for their “international meeting week”, while the brass orchestra Rodde e.V. from Rheine was honored for training young musicians. Third place went to the Leeden e.V. interest group for its “Leeden after-work market”, which improves the quality of life in Leeden.

• 1. Platz: Volkstanzgruppe Laggenbeck e.V. für die internationale Begegnungswoche
• 2. Platz: Blas-Orchester Rodde e.V. für die musikalische Ausbildung junger Talente
• 3. Platz: Interessengemeinschaft Leeden e.V. für den Leedener Feierabend-Markt

Particularly worth mentioning is the Schale local history association, which was awarded for the reconstruction of an old threshing barn. This will serve as a teaching and exhibition space in the future. Such projects not only help preserve local history, but also strengthen the sense of community in the villages.

Participation and support

Applications can be submitted by email until July 31st heimatpreis@kreis-steinfurt.de as well as by post to the Office for Culture, Tourism and Heritage in Steinfurt. If you have any questions, please contact cultural manager Kristina Dröge on 02551/69-1513 or by email kristina.droege@kreis-steinfurt.de gladly available.

Funding for the Homeland Prize is subject to certain legal requirements, including the administrative regulations for the State Budget Code (LHO). This means that the awarding of the prize is an important part of the political promotion of culture in North Rhine-Westphalia. The funding database informs you that such prizes are awarded annually, with up to three prizes being awarded in different categories per year.

Prepare and recognize the volunteer work in your neighborhood. The NRW Homeland Prize is an excellent opportunity to recognize the valuable initiatives that make our region so worth living in - let's get it done!