The Kommunalrichtlinie (KRL) explained simply
What does the Kommunalrichtlinie fund in 2026, and what not? Funding categories, deadlines and the KRL's role for municipal climate adaptation.
Geodata, GIS and climate analysis · Strategy, product and funding · Khoch3 KlimaKarten
In brief. The Kommunalrichtlinie (KRL, municipal climate protection funding guideline) is the central funding programme of the National Climate Initiative (NKI) for municipalities, but it is first and foremost a climate protection instrument, not an adaptation programme. It funds strategic building blocks such as climate protection management, concepts and feasibility studies, as well as capital investment measures to reduce emissions. For pure climate adaptation the KRL is rarely the right route; the DAS funding scheme and the BMWSB programme exist for that purpose. The current guideline runs until the end of 2027. Last reviewed: August 2026, check the day-to-day conditions with ZUG.
Why this matters for your municipality. The KRL is often perceived as "the" climate funding programme. Anyone planning adaptation measures and automatically turning to the KRL loses time. Conversely, it is worth knowing that climate protection and adaptation touch at some points, for example greening, shading or desealing with dual benefits. Knowing the limits of the KRL means projects can be assigned to the right pot from the start.
What exactly does the Kommunalrichtlinie fund?
The KRL has two categories. Strategic funding items include, among others, the development of climate protection concepts and focus concepts, the establishment of climate protection management, advisory services, feasibility studies and municipal networks. Investment funding items range from renovating street and interior lighting to climate-friendly mobility and measures in wastewater and drinking water management. The common thread is the reduction of greenhouse gases, not protection against climate impacts such as heat or heavy rain.
Does the KRL also fund climate adaptation?
Only marginally. In the current guideline, adaptation elements are not listed as separate funding items. Some measures with dual benefits, such as greening that cools while also binding CO₂, may fit within the KRL's logic in individual cases, but this is not its core focus. If your goal is heat or flood risk prevention, the DAS funding scheme or the BMWSB programme are usually the better address. This clarity avoids misdirected applications.
How much funding is available, and who gets more?
Funding rates vary by item and are listed in the KRL's funding rate table. One important lever: financially or structurally weak municipalities receive increased funding rates. Whether your municipality qualifies depends on defined criteria. This is relevant for the finance department, as it can noticeably reduce the own contribution. The exact percentages change with each version of the programme, so use the current ZUG table as your reference.
The honest limitation. The KRL is not an adaptation programme, and it is not a formality. Applications must be submitted before the project starts, the formal requirements are high, and approval is never guaranteed. We cannot promise that a specific project is eligible; that depends on the current version of the guideline and how your project is classified. Always check deadlines and conditions directly with the responsible authority.
When KomAdapt is worthwhile. If you are planning adaptation, the "Funding Roadmap & Reporting" module helps assign your measures to the right programme, and to recognise when the KRL simply does not fit and DAS or BMWSB should be considered instead. This avoids the detour of applying to the wrong programme.
Frequently asked questions
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