Funding within the framework of the "LOCAL" program – Program for Culture and Engagement
Nationwide grant program to support long-term cultural and engagement networks in cities and municipalities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. Up to €240,000 per network project over four years. Applications in two rounds until 14.02.2025 and 13.02.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Establishment and strengthening of locally rooted partnerships between cultural institutions, associations, schools, businesses, and the citizenry, as well as the implementation of participatory artistic projects to promote social cohesion and democratic participation.
Eligible expenses
- Project management
- Personnel and material costs for artistic-participatory projects
- Expenses for encounter formats and mediation
- Academies, consulting services, and European exchange meetings
Non-eligible expenses
- Continuation of existing partnerships
- Funding of already planned events
Eligible to apply
- Non-profit Organizations
- Public Institutions
- Interest Groups and Other Associations
Funding requirements
- Located in a German city or municipality with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants
- Regular cultural offerings with a focus on the locality
- Commitment to diversity and social cohesion
- Legal form as an association, foundation, or public-law or private-law corporation
Documents required for application
- Application form (sample PDF)
- Cost and financing plan (sample)
- Brief profile of the applicant institution
Evaluation criteria
- Aspect of participation and artistic quality
- Potential for local networking
- Sustainability and long-term impact
- Relevance for social cohesion and democratic participation
Description
This nationwide model program supports long-term cultural and engagement networks in cities and municipalities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. Over a four-year period, up to €240,000 per network project is available as a non-repayable grant. The goal is to establish and strengthen locally anchored partnerships between cultural institutions, associations, schools, businesses, and the community. Creative, artistically participatory projects form the core of the funding and aim to sustainably enhance social cohesion and democratic participation on site. Applications can be submitted in two rounds by February 14, 2025 and February 13, 2026, with project start possible from June 1, 2025.
Eligible to apply are non-profit cultural associations, socio-cultural centers, theaters, libraries, museums, and comparable institutions offering regular cultural programs in municipalities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. A prerequisite is a locally anchored headquarters in the respective municipality, commitment to diversity and social cohesion, and legal form as an association, foundation, or corporation. Funding covers, among other things, project management, personnel and material costs for artistically participatory initiatives, expenses for encounter formats as well as advisory services, academies, and European exchange meetings. Continuation of existing partnerships or already planned events are not eligible for funding. Selection is made by an independent jury based on aspects of participation, artistic quality, networking potential, sustainability, and relevance for social and democratic participation. For the application, the application form, cost and financing plan, and a brief profile of the institution must be submitted.
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