Interpreter services; Application for funding of expenses related to the advisory activities of women's shelters and other institutions

The Free State of Bavaria supports, through the program “Interpreter Services; Application for Funding of Expenses within the Framework of Counseling Activities of Women’s Shelters and Other Facilities”, professional language and sign language mediation in favor of women affected by violence with a migration background as well as women with speech and hearing impairments. The goal is to ensure barrier-free access to counseling and support services of state-funded women’s shelters, specialized counseling, and intervention centers, and to reduce inhibitions. In addition to interpreter services, training measures are financed to equip professionals with competencies in the design and implementation of telephone, video, or in-person interpreting settings. The funding covers hourly remuneration for interpreters, travel times, one-time setup and provision costs for telephone interpreting services, as well as expenses for necessary technical equipment (e.g., webcam). The funding rate amounts to up to 90% of eligible expenses, with a 10% co-payment by the recipients.

Recipients of funding are non-profit organizations and public institutions in Bavaria that are members of a leading association of independent welfare organizations and act as providers of a state-funded women’s shelter, a specialized counseling or intervention center, or a second-stage project. The maximum project duration is 12 months, with the approval period starting on January 1, April 1, or July 1 of a fiscal year and ending on December 31 of the same year. Funding applications must be submitted at least one month before the desired project start date, including the completed application form and a tabular overview of the planned interpreting assignments. The state funding is granted as a non-repayable subsidy and makes a decisive contribution to strengthening barrier-free victim counseling in Bavaria.