Students

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia supports self-initiated projects by pupils in NRW within the framework of ESF co-financed individual projects, which lie outside established ESF programs. Designed as a grant, this support is aimed at public institutions, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions that co-finance projects in the fields of education, vocational training, children and youth, as well as work and social affairs with ESF funds. The possibility to submit applications is ongoing, enabling demand-oriented planning and implementation of innovative ideas by the applicants. With this program, the state aims to promote individual learning and development processes that are not covered by regular funding lines.

Eligible to participate are all pupils in North Rhine-Westphalia whose projects are accompanied by a public or non-profit institution and are not yet assigned to any ESF program. A prerequisite for approval is a positive decision by the individual projects working group as well as submission by the learners themselves. Evaluation criteria include the concrete benefit for the target group, the innovative character, and practical feasibility. This orientation results in project concepts that both strengthen the quality of the school and extracurricular education landscape and unfold individual potentials. The continuous funding opportunity supports project ideas immediately as they arise, thus contributing to a vibrant learning culture in the state.