Intercultural Encounter

The "Intercultural Encounter" program of the Elisabeth Kleber Foundation supports projects in Hamburg that promote respect, tolerance, and cross-border exchange. Funding is provided to non-profit organizations, interest groups, other associations, and private individuals implementing time-limited initiatives. The focus is on multicultural festivals, international cooking courses, and educational offerings for people with a migration background. Each year, the foundation supports around 35 initiatives in the areas of social cohesion, democracy, migration, education, culture, work & social affairs, vocational training & further education, as well as culture & media. Applications can be submitted continuously and are awarded as grants. A prerequisite is having a registered office or project location in Hamburg as well as clear evidence of promoting intercultural exchange.

For the application, a concise proposal supplemented by a detailed project description and a transparent cost calculation showing the requested funding gap is sufficient. The Elisabeth Kleber Foundation then reviews eligibility and determines the funding period. Through targeted support, encounters between people of different backgrounds are to be facilitated and sustainable bridges between cultures built in the long term. The program contributes to strengthening social cohesion in neighborhoods, making cultural diversity tangible, and actively shaping integration.