Flow Fund for East Germany

The Flow Fund for East Germany relies on a participatory funding model that significantly strengthens democratic participation and social cohesion in Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, and Thuringia. Instead of a central foundation decision, selected emerging leaders from the Kinnings Academy – the so-called Flow Funders – each receive €25,000 in donation funds as well as a fee of €5,000. In close collaboration with the Schöpflin Foundation and the Kinnings Foundation, these locally rooted actors develop their own allocation criteria, focusing on local impact, community relevance, and innovation potential. Through expert input from external specialists and a moderated reflection space, the Flow Funders are comprehensively supported and networked in the critical further development of their strategies.

Eligible for funding are non-profit organizations and committed private individuals based or active in East Germany, as well as Flow Funders of the Kinnings Academy. The allocation of funds is flexible and without central application deadlines: each funding round begins with the selection of new Flow Funders, who are then prepared for their decision-making responsibilities through several workshops and peer-learning sessions. In total, funding volumes of up to €425,000 can be mobilized per round. The goal of this innovative approach is to empower young engaged individuals, make local initiatives visible, and build trust in civil society expertise from the ground up. This creates a dynamic fund that sets impulses for sustainable cohesion and inclusive participation in East Germany.