Funding for Democracy and Participation
The City of Vienna – Department of Energy Planning (MA 20) supports organizations that contribute to strengthening democracy and participation in Vienna. Submissions possible from 01.04.2026, while funds last.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Financial support for democracy- and participation-specific activities in the public interest related to the City of Vienna, aimed at building sustainable structures for increased participation.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Material costs
- General expenses/Overhead
- Travel expenses
- Transportation costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Representation costs
- Fines and dunning fees
- Acquisition of real estate
- Imputed costs and lost profits
- Private pension provisions
Eligible to apply
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Activity strengthens democracy and participation in Vienna
- Public interest
- Content-related, institutional, or geographical connection to the city of Vienna
- Financial need
- Funding purpose is not already achieved by other means
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Documents required for application
- Project report (project description)
- Income-expenditure form
- Supplement to the project report
- Proof of non-profit status (statutes or articles of association)
- Current annual financial statement or income-expenditure statement and asset overview
- Declaration of consent and photo ID (if without ID Austria)
- Criminal record extract
Evaluation criteria
- Formal, content-related and financial review
- Existence of a public interest
- Sustainability of structures
- Inclusion and low-threshold access
- Relation to the City of Vienna
Description
The City of Vienna – Department of Energy Planning (MA 20) supports non-profit organizations that strengthen democratic engagement and social participation within the Vienna metropolitan area through sustainable structures. With grants ranging from €10,000 to €300,000 per year, the funding measure supports activities that serve the public interest and are closely linked to the City of Vienna in terms of content, institution, or geography. Low-threshold, inclusive projects that actively involve people of diverse origins, age groups, and life situations in political decision-making processes and thereby promote social cohesion are funded. Research projects are excluded, as are expenses for representation, fines, real estate acquisitions, or imputed costs. Within a project duration of up to twelve months, personnel costs, material, travel and transportation expenses, as well as necessary overhead costs can be claimed.
Submissions are possible from April 1, 2026, as long as the annual funding volume has not been exhausted. Eligible to apply are non-profit associations, legal entities, and registered partnerships that operate independently of state structures. The digitally submitted application includes a substantive project description (project report), a detailed income-expenditure statement, the appendix to the project report, as well as proof of non-profit status, current financial statements, and a criminal record extract. Formal, financial, and content reviews are conducted promptly; upon a positive decision, a funding contract is concluded. Through transparent selection criteria and a structured accounting process, the Department of Energy Planning ensures that funding is purposefully invested in democratic participation. Interested organizations can obtain all necessary forms on the City of Vienna’s website and are encouraged to submit funding proposals that enrich public discourse in Vienna and test innovative forms of participation.
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