Homeland Fund North Rhine-Westphalia
Funding for municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia: The state doubles regional donations and municipal own funds (€1 + €1) and covers 50% of eligible expenses up to €50,000 per project. Ongoing applications possible.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
The funding program enables cities, districts, and municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia to financially participate in locally and regionally significant projects and initiatives that focus on traditions, history, cultural aspects, buildings, places in nature and landscape, as well as food and products, thereby strengthening local and regional identity and community.
Eligible expenses
- Material costs
- Printing and publication costs
- Room rentals and equipment
- External services (fees, editing, moderation)
- Public relations
Non-eligible expenses
- Ongoing operational and personnel expenses
- Fulfillment of municipal mandatory tasks
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
Funding requirements
- Eligible total expenditures between €5,000 and €100,000
- Own contribution of at least 10% by the municipality and an additional 40% through donations or civic engagement
- Co-financing: State covers up to 50% of eligible expenses
- Implementation of the project in North Rhine-Westphalia
- With the Ministry's approval, inter-municipal projects may also be funded
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Cost and financing plan
- Proof of donations and own contribution
- Owner's consent declaration (if required)
Evaluation criteria
- Identity-forming character of the project
- Civic engagement
- Regional relevance
- Financial sustainability
- Innovative content in the presentation of local relevance
Description
Heimat-Fonds North Rhine-Westphalia supports cities, districts, and municipalities in the state in realizing locally and regionally defining projects that focus on traditions, history, cultural aspects, buildings, natural sites, as well as food and products. The state doubles every raised donation and every municipal own-fund euro (1 € + 1 €) and covers 50% of the eligible expenses up to a maximum funding amount of 50,000 € per project. The funding period can last up to 36 months, and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Eligible costs include, among others, material costs, printing and publication costs, room rentals, as well as technology, external services such as fees, editing, and moderation, and public relations. Operating and personnel expenses or projects serving to fulfill municipal mandatory tasks are not funded.
Municipalities must contribute a minimum own share of 10%, with an additional 40% to be provided through donations or civic engagement. The total eligible expenses of a project range between 5,000 € and 100,000 €. Inter-municipal projects are also possible with the ministry’s approval. The evaluation is based on the identity-forming impact, the demonstrative character of civic engagement, regional relevance, sustainability of financing, and the innovativeness of the presentation of the local reference. For the application, a project description, a cost and financing plan, proof of donations and own contribution, and, if applicable, a consent declaration from the owners are sufficient. The possibility to pass on funds to third parties offers additional scope for jointly supported initiatives that sustainably strengthen the sense of community on site.
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