A form of municipal cooperation in some German federal states (e.g., Rhineland-Palatinate), in which several independent local municipalities hand over certain administrative tasks to a higher-level unit. This unit acts on behalf of the affiliated municipalities.
example
Die Verbandsgemeinde ist für die Schulen, die Feuerwehr und die Wasserversorgung zuständig.
The collective municipality is responsible for the schools, the fire department, and the water supply.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is made up of 'Verband' (association, federation) and 'Gemeinde' (municipality). The 's' in between is a linking element. So it literally describes a 'combined municipality.'
EXAMPLE
Mehrere kleine Dörfer bilden zusammen eine Verbandsgemeinde.
Several small villages together form a collective municipality.
Register and region
This is a specific term from German administrative language. This organizational form exists only in some federal states, such as Rhineland-Palatinate or Saxony-Anhalt, and is rare in everyday usage outside these contexts.
EXAMPLE
Die genauen Aufgaben einer Verbandsgemeinde sind im Landesgesetz geregelt.
The exact responsibilities of a collective municipality are regulated in state law.
Typical collocations
Typical verbs used in connection with this noun are 'einer Verbandsgemeinde angehören' (to belong to a collective municipality) or 'zur Verbandsgemeinde gehören' (to belong to the collective municipality). It often concerns the responsibilities of the administration.
EXAMPLE
Unser Dorf gehört zur Verbandsgemeinde Thalfang am Erbeskopf.
Our village belongs to the Thalfang am Erbeskopf collective municipality.
Compare with
confusable
Verbandsgemeinde vs Gemeinde
municipality / community
'die Gemeinde' and 'die Verbandsgemeinde' can both refer to administration at the local level. 'die Gemeinde' is an individual town or village with its own administration. 'die Verbandsgemeinde', on the other hand, is a higher-level administrative unit that includes several independent local municipalities. The words are easy to confuse because both contain 'Gemeinde' and both have to do with town halls, administration, and places. If you are talking about a single place, 'Gemeinde' is usually the right word. If several municipalities handle administrative tasks together, 'Verbandsgemeinde' is more precise.
Verbandsgemeinde
Am Montag öffnet das Büro der Verbandsgemeinde schon um acht Uhr.
On Monday, the office of the collective municipality opens at eight o'clock.
Gemeinde
Die Gemeinde baut in diesem Jahr einen neuen Spielplatz.
The municipality is building a new playground this year.
