Funding Program Strong Homeland North Rhine-Westphalia
Funding of local heritage projects in North Rhine-Westphalia with five components ranging from the Heimat-Scheck to the Heimat-Zeugnis. Applications can be submitted at any time via the online portal (until 2027).
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Funding of projects that strengthen local and regional identity and community by making local history publicly accessible. Supported are initiatives related to traditions, history, cultural aspects, buildings, and distinctive sites in nature and the urban landscape.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material costs
- Investments in buildings and public spaces
- Workshop procedures
- Printing costs
Non-eligible expenses
- ongoing operating and personnel expenses
- retroactive costs
- debt settlement
Eligible to apply
- Non-profit Organizations
- Founders
- Companies
- Individuals
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Application must be submitted online via the Heimat funding portal
- Project must be carried out in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Own contribution depending on the module (at least 10% or 20% for municipalities)
- Start only after approval notice
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Proof of equity
- Cost calculation
- Cost estimates
- Consent declaration of the owner
Evaluation criteria
- Identity-forming reference
- Civic engagement
- Public accessibility
- Sustainable impact
- Innovation in local relevance
Description
Strong Homeland North Rhine-Westphalia is the statewide funding program aimed at strengthening regional identity and local community cohesion. Projects are supported through five funding elements – Homeland Voucher (fixed amount €2,000), Homeland Prize (fixed amount from €5,000 to €15,000), Homeland Fund (co-financing €1 + €1), as well as the Homeland Workshop and the Homeland Certificate (each co-financed between 50% and 100%) – that make traditions, buildings, places rich in words or imagery, customs, agriculture, or culture publicly accessible. Funding amounts can reach up to six figures, with a maximum duration of 36 months. Eligible expenses range from personnel and material costs to investments in buildings and public spaces, as well as workshop procedures and printing costs. Ongoing operational and personnel expenses, retroactive costs, or debt repayments are not funded. Applications can be submitted online at any time – funding is available until the end of 2027.
Interested parties include associations, initiatives, private individuals, companies, or municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia who engage voluntarily. A co-financing share is required (at least 10%, or 20% for municipalities), along with an identity-forming connection to the homeland and a sustainable impact that is made publicly accessible. Allocation follows clear evaluation criteria such as innovation in homeland relevance and civic engagement. Required documents include a project description, cost and financing plan, proof of equity, and consent from property owners. The decision is made by the responsible district government; implementation may only begin after the notification of approval. With the funding program “Strong Homeland North Rhine-Westphalia,” the state supports creative homeland projects that connect communities and keep the diversity of the federal state vibrant.
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