LEADER funding for the conversion of the old school barn in Schreufa

The old school barn in Schreufa is to be converted into a training and exhibition building. The Burgwald Ederbergland LEADER region assessed the project as worthy of funding and thus created the basis for the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg to approve the funding from the European Union and the state of Hesse earmarked for project realisation - around 200,000 euros in total.

Extracurricular educational centre
For ten years now, the Wettermuseum Alte Schule Schreufa e. V. has been doing valuable pioneering work in the transfer of knowledge about meteorology, climate change and the loss of biodiversity. With over 15,000 visitors from all over Germany, the museum has established itself as an important extracurricular learning centre. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), which is based on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, is a particular focus. Numerous school classes from the district have already gained practical insights and important impulses for sustainable action here.

Expansion and modernisation with a sense of proportion
In order to meet the growing requirements and increasing visitor numbers, the previously derelict school barn dating back to 1880 is being carefully revitalised. The aim is to preserve the historical character of the building while integrating modern, sustainable technology. The plan is to create a spacious multifunctional room that can be used for educational programmes, exhibitions and events in the future. A heat pump heating system and a photovoltaic system on the roof will ensure a climate-friendly energy supply. This will turn the building itself into a showcase for sustainable construction and management.

In addition to educational activities, the new premises will also be open to creative groups. There are also plans to move some of the regional marketing days and the traditional "Advent market around the weather museum" to the school barn. This will create added value for the village community and the entire region.

Focus on accessibility and sustainability
Accessibility is also a central concern of the project. The former school toilet will be converted accordingly and will be available to both museum visitors and churchgoers from the neighbouring church. The building project consistently follows climate-friendly standards. Both the construction method and the materials used are based on sustainable criteria. The result is a forward-looking project that not only communicates environmental and climate protection, but actively demonstrates it.

Strengthening rural development
"The conversion of the school barn is an important step towards strengthening rural development in the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg," says District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst on the occasion of the handover of the funding decision to the Chairman of Wettermuseum Schreufa e.V. Werner Böhle. "The project contributes to regional identity, the attractiveness of the educational programme and the local quality of life." Volunteer work plays a central role in this. Numerous hours of work have already gone into the construction and operation of the weather museum in recent years. The upcoming renovation is also largely being supported by volunteers. "With the LEADER funding, the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg is sending a strong signal for the future of educational and environmental projects in the region and is looking forward to continuing the successful work of the weather museum."

Werner Böhle, Chairman of the Weather Museum Schreufa e.V., agrees: "The construction project fulfils a long-held wish of ours to be able to offer our visitors a barrier-free building in the future. With this in mind, we would once again like to express our sincere thanks to everyone involved." Frankenberg's mayor Barbara Eckes is also delighted with the association's innovative project: "The commitment to the Weather Museum has been unparalleled right from the start and the funding has been ideally invested here," she emphasises. "The expansion of the barn takes the possibilities of this important place of learning to a new level - and will be a benefit for the entire region." Further information about the Weather Museum can be found here.

Background
LEADER is a European Union funding programme for the development and strengthening of rural areas, which is implemented in cooperation with the federal government and the state of Hesse. The aim of the programme is to support innovative and sustainable projects that improve the local quality of life and contribute to the economic, social or tourist development of the region. Local action groups, in which local authorities, businesses, associations and citizens are jointly represented, decide on the funding. Funding is based on a local development strategy that is orientated towards regional strengths and future goals.

Caption: The conversion of the school barn in Schreufa into a training and exhibition building is being subsidised with around 200,000 euros in LEADER funding. District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst recently handed over the decision to Chairman Werner Böhle. Also present were Frankenberg's mayor Barbara Eckes, the chairman of the LEADER region Burgwald Ederbergland Rüdiger Heß, many members of the association and representatives of the district. (Photo: District of Waldeck-Frankenberg)

Keywords: 

Rural Development Department Village and Regional Development