Counseling for Voluntary Return
Funding of regional projects for qualified counseling of refugees and third-country nationals on voluntary return to their country of origin or onward migration to a third country willing to receive them in Lower Saxony.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support for non-profit legal entities under private law in carrying out independent, neutral, and qualified return counseling for third-country nationals obliged to leave and willing to return in Lower Saxony.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Personnel-related material expenses
- Office rent
- Office equipment
- Travel and training costs
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Non-eligible expenses
- Catering costs
- Rental deposit
- Non-insurance voluntary policies
- Purchases outside the project purpose
Eligible to apply
- Non-profit Organizations
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
Funding requirements
- Non-profit legal entity under private law
- Implementation of counseling in Lower Saxony
- Compliance with nationwide guidelines for return counseling
- Submission of a coherent counseling concept
- Use of qualified personnel
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Application for granting a return counseling subsidy
- Guidelines for nationwide return counseling
- Proof of non-profit status
Evaluation criteria
- Professional and administrative suitability of the counseling concept
- Compliance with the guidelines for nationwide return counseling
- Regional coverage and networking with local actors
Description
The funding program "Counseling for Voluntary Return" supports non-profit legal entities under private law active in Lower Saxony, including associations of independent welfare organizations as well as refugee and migrant aid organizations, in providing neutral and qualified counseling to third-country nationals who are obliged to leave or willing to return. The goal is a dignified and sustainable reintegration in the country of origin or onward migration to a third country willing to accept them. Regional projects are funded that offer at least information on the situation in the country of origin, residence law matters, assistance for individual return and onward migration intentions, development of perspectives for reintegration, facilitation of contacts with aid and human rights organizations, interpreting and translation services, as well as support with travel arrangements. Uniform quality is ensured through the guidelines for nationwide return counseling, supplemented by a cooperation obligation and exchange of experience with local and supra-regional actors.
The funding is provided as a non-repayable grant with a funding rate of 90 to 100% of eligible expenses. Eligible applicants are associations and clubs with non-profit status that comply with the nationwide guidelines and submit a coherent counseling concept aligned with the funding purpose. Eligible costs include in particular personnel expenses and personnel-related material expenses such as office rent, office equipment, interpreting services, travel and training costs. A own contribution of usually at least 10% as well as good networking and cooperation with municipal authorities are required. Applications are submitted annually by September 30 of the previous year to the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior and Sport. Required application documents include project description, financing plan, proof of non-profit status, compliance with guidelines, and qualification certificates of the personnel employed.
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