- Minister of Finance to light the forest of aid
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's Finance Minister Heiko Geue (SPD) is set to streamline the complex web of funding programs in the state. "There is an overwhelming variety of funding programs with different rules in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern," his office stated. The state government has thus decided to make the funding processes simpler and more efficient. The Ministry of Finance is to propose measures by the end of 2025.
In the future, it should be possible to view all of the state's funding programs online at a glance. Applicants will primarily submit a lean digital application that will be processed and decided upon digitally in a short time. "The review of proof of use will be reduced to the essentials and will also be carried out digitally in its entirety. This will free up fewer specialists in the applying companies and authorities," Geue explained.
The Association of Cities and Towns also wants simplifications
Employees from various ministries and the State Office for Health and Social Affairs, where many funding applications are processed, will work together to find simplifications. The State Audit Office will also provide advisory support, overseeing the sensible use of public funds.
Just a few days earlier, the Association of Cities and Towns in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had urged the state government to simplify procedures. Business manager Andreas Wellmann suggested following the example of Saxony, where procedures for state grants to municipalities have been noticeably simplified and thus accelerated.
The Federation of Taxpayers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern welcomed the state government's plans. "Often, it's the smaller funding programs that cause higher administrative costs than the actual funding amount," explained state business manager Sascha Mummenhoff. He also called for regular reviews of funding programs. Those that do not meet their goals should be discontinued in a timely manner.
The simplified funding processes will significantly reduce the workload for specialists in applying companies and authorities, as the review of proof of use will primarily be digital and focused on essentials. The current variety of heavily complex funding programs in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is widely recognized as needing simplification, with the Federation of Taxpayers also advocating for regular reviews of underperforming programs.
