Church needs school - School needs church

The Barbara Schadeberg Foundation is launching a nationwide program with the funding focus "Church Needs School – School Needs Church," which aims to strengthen new cooperation approaches between Protestant schools and local church congregations over an initial period of three years. Innovative projects are sought that, in the spirit of a connected educational landscape, combine collaborative learning and church engagement. The initiative supports partnerships in which schools and congregations mutually benefit from each other and jointly assume educational responsibility. Communication, networking, and partnership are emphasized—rather than competition or separation. Facilitation and coaching during retreat sessions assist participants in developing viable processes and anchoring them sustainably.

Non-profit educational institutions and organizations are eligible for funding with a grant of €5,000 per project; a total of 10 funding packages are available. Applications may be submitted by school administrations and religious subject groups of all Protestant schools, as well as their respective church congregations, who wish to jointly implement new cooperative initiatives. Eligible expenses include project costs, facilitation/coaching, and retreat sessions. Applications must be submitted exclusively online; this requires a project description, a budget plan, and the completed application form. The Barbara Schadeberg Foundation places great importance on transparency and simplicity of the process and supports applicants with clear funding guidelines. Through this targeted support, impulses are set to sustainably network Protestant educational institutions and church congregations and jointly develop forward-looking educational offerings.