German towns unite to demand fair funding and support from higher government

A crumbling daycare in Gerolsheim symbolizes a national crisis. Mayors say they’re drowning in red tape—with no lifeline in sight.

, and Administrator

2025 November 30 . 1:16 PM

1 min read

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Communities warn: "It's hanging by a thread everywhere" - German towns unite to demand fair funding and support from higher government

A growing alliance of small German towns is pushing back against what they call years of neglect by higher levels of government. Over 740 municipalities have now joined the campaign Now We’re Speaking Up—Local Councils Stand Tall, demanding urgent changes to funding, bureaucracy, and planning rules. The movement highlights struggles like those in Gerolsheim, where a crumbling daycare centre and unmet legal standards have left local leaders feeling overwhelmed and unsupported.

The problems in Gerolsheim reflect wider frustrations across small towns. Mayor Simone Ulrich has spoken openly about feeling abandoned as responsibilities mount but resources shrink. With renovation costs running into millions, the local kindercare centre urgently needs expansion to meet safety and capacity rules—yet funding remains out of reach. Like many municipalities, Gerolsheim lacks the staff to navigate complex grant applications, which often require full-time attention just to manage paperwork.

The campaign’s next steps will focus on securing concrete commitments from federal and state officials. With hundreds of towns united behind the cause, the pressure for change is growing. For now, however, local leaders like those in Gerolsheim continue to juggle impossible budgets and mounting legal obligations—all while waiting for answers.