Grüne on the economy

The Greens want to support mid-sized companies and industry in digitalization and climate-neutral production, among other things with a credit-financed RLP-Zukunftsfonds (future fund). In the party's view, economic success and climate protection belong together.

The Greens want to help small and mid-sized companies. The companies should become more digital and climate-friendly. There should be a future fund for this. The state would borrow money for it. Unneeded red tape should go.

A credit-financed RLP-Zukunftsfonds would promote innovation in mid-sized firms and trigger investment in climate-friendly production and climate technology. Red tape for small and mid-sized companies is to be cut together with practitioners, without lowering environmental, social or consumer protection standards. For industry, the program lists reliable renewable energy at competitive prices, good transport links, fast digital permits and secure raw materials as location factors. The state's hydrogen strategy is meant to make energy-intensive processes climate-neutral using green hydrogen. The program gives special emphasis to jobs covered by collective agreements and to business models geared toward the common good.

The Greens want to make the Meisterbrief (master craftsman certificate) free of charge in order to tackle the shortage of skilled workers in the trades and lower financial barriers. In addition, dual vocational training is to become more attractive and starting a trade business easier to finance.

The Greens want the master craftsman certificate to be free. This should help more people become masters in a trade. People who start a business should get loans more easily. Trainees should get affordable housing and a cheaper ticket for buses and trains.

Besides the free Meisterbrief, the Aufstiegsbonus II (advancement bonus) would continue and the first founding of a trade business would be funded. Long-term start-up loans backed by default guarantees are planned, with a simple, digital and standardized application. A succession office would connect owners with potential successors, and the Triales Studium model would combine training and university study. Early career guidance, everyday support, language help, retraining and partial qualifications are meant to secure skilled workers. For trainees, the program provides for housing offers, a discounted public transit ticket, modern training centers and appreciative pay.

The Greens want to expand state support for new businesses and draw up a dedicated startup strategy for Rhineland-Palatinate. Young companies should get easier access to venture capital and stay in the state after their founding phase. The platform sees startups as drivers of innovation.

The Greens want more support for new companies. The state should make a plan for this. Founders should get money from investors more easily. The new companies should stay in the state.

Together with businesses, banks and investors, an initiative would improve access to venture capital, with a focus on biotechnology, chemistry, IT and AI, and mobility. Startup offices and centers at universities would get better resources to increase the number of spin-offs, and the Digital Hubs would be extended to more regions. Plans also include expanding the "Startup Office RLP," an annual startup festival, and funding programs for discounted biotech lab space and for IT and AI startups. Statewide site management would make vacant buildings and former military or industrial sites usable for young companies. At the federal level, the Greens want to push for statutory maternity protection for self-employed women.

The Greens focus on nature experiences in tourism and want to speed up the expansion of hiking and cycling trails. The state's protected areas would get more staff and funding. Recreation in nature and the preservation of biodiversity should be possible side by side.

The Greens want more vacations in nature. They want to build hiking and cycling trails faster. Protected areas should get more money and more staff. Animals and plants should stay protected.

The platform names the Hunsrück-Hochwald National Park, the Pfälzerwald Biosphere Reserve and the nature parks, which it describes as already popular with visitors. Joint marketing of natural attractions would raise the state's profile as a sustainable destination. Visitor guidance and information are meant to protect nature. The 2027 state garden show in Neustadt and the 2029 federal garden show on the Middle Rhine should be climate-neutral and bring lasting benefits to the region. In historic town centers and spa and wine towns, the Greens want more greenery and less traffic; spa towns would receive dedicated institutional support.

The Greens want to double the number of businesses and facilities in the state certified under "Reisen für Alle" (Travel for All), a label for verified accessibility. Low-income families would also get more help with family vacations. According to the platform, vacations in the state should be open to everyone.

The Greens want vacations to be possible for everyone. More hotels and offers should be accessible. Accessible means people with disabilities can use them too. Families with little money should get more help for vacations.

Hospitality businesses and municipalities would receive support when they set up accessible offers. The aim is for people to be able to travel the state regardless of age or impairment. Support for low-income families taking family vacations would be expanded. Youth hostels and family vacation centers would get targeted funding for energy upgrades and accessible renovations.