A Matter Close to the Heart: Multi-Year Support

Herzenssache multi-year support is a funding program that supports non-profit organizations in Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saarland in implementing sustainable aid projects for disadvantaged children, adolescents, and their families. The program aims to promote innovative project ideas that offer additional development opportunities and positive prospects in the specified regions. Projects addressing topics such as inclusion, illness, psychological stress, violence, child poverty, education, media literacy, creativity, or participation are eligible for funding. A prerequisite is non-profit status as well as tax exemption, and the funding rate of up to 90% of total costs enables seed financing as well as expansions of existing projects within a period of 36 months.

The funding program places special emphasis on projects that have a sustainable impact and are considered subordinate support prior to the use of state or other public funding. Supported are, among others, construction and investment costs, fees, personnel costs, as well as material costs that directly benefit the target group. The application documents consist of a questionnaire, a detailed cost calculation, and a complete application, which must be submitted exclusively via the online funding tool. In a two-stage process, an initial preliminary inquiry is conducted to evaluate the project idea and subsequently – if positive – the full application is submitted. This procedure promotes transparency and facilitates evaluation based on criteria such as relevance, timeliness, innovative ideas, regionality, and thematic diversity.

The program is exclusively aimed at organizations recognized as non-profit and active in the funding regions. Projects that fall within the responsibilities of the state or involve ongoing costs are excluded, as are initiatives beyond the age limit of 18 years. With a funding amount between €50,000 and €500,000, this initiative offers an attractive financial basis for implementing projects that benefit many children and adolescents. The continuous and ongoing application deadline allows interested organizations to respond flexibly to current challenges and plan long-term support measures. Overall, the funding program makes a significant contribution to strengthening regional child and youth welfare by promoting projects that focus on sustainable development and equal opportunities.