Cultural Funding pursuant to § 96 Federal Expellees and Refugees Act

The cultural funding program according to § 96 of the Federal Expellees and Refugees Act of the Free State of Bavaria supports cultural projects that preserve, convey, and further develop the cultural heritage of German homeland expellees, resettlers, and late resettlers. Funding is provided for exhibitions, events, educational offerings, and scientific research projects related to the history, language, religion, or traditions of the expellees. The aim is to strengthen the cultural identity of these groups, integrate the cultural assets of the expulsion regions into public life in Bavaria, and make them accessible across generations. Recipients of funding can be private individuals, associations, foundations, non-profit organizations, public institutions, and educational establishments with a registered office or residence in Bavaria or the former settlement areas in Eastern and Southeastern Europe.

Submitting an application requires the submission of a fully completed project application, proof of own funds amounting to at least 10% of the total costs, and confirmation of a proper project process including the use of the grant. Eligible are all project costs in the cultural sector that correspond to the program’s purpose. Approval is granted in the form of a subsidy, which is awarded either as a deficit financing or fixed amount financing depending on the type of funding. The application review usually takes place at the beginning of the year, followed by a funding notification or inquiries from the House of the German East. This institution acts as the central funding agency of the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labour and Social Affairs and accompanies the implementation of the projects until the final use of funds and reporting.