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Grant

Microfunding Program "Recruit Volunteers. Retain Commitment. Strengthen Civil Society."

Small project funding from the DSEE of up to €1,500 for volunteer-run, non-profit organizations in rural and structurally weak regions to strengthen engagement structures. Applications can be submitted continuously.

Social Cohesion/Democracy Consulting

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline: Ongoing
Application level: Simple
Region: Germany (nationwide)
Funding amount: €1,500
Funding rate: 90%
Only for non-profit organizations

Funding objective

The micro-grant program of the German Foundation for Engagement and Volunteering supports volunteer-driven, non-profit organizations in structurally weak and rural regions of Germany with up to €1,500 to strengthen engagement and volunteering structures, attract new volunteers, and retain existing active members. Funding is provided for measures related to qualification, networking, public relations, digitalization, recognition, as well as the professionalization of association and project processes.

Eligible expenses

  • Material expenses
  • Fee expenses
  • Voluntary service allowances
  • Travel expenses

Non-eligible expenses

  • Expenditures for permanently employed personnel costs
  • Vouchers and gift cards
  • Alcohol, cigarettes, and other luxury consumables
  • Acquisition of real estate or land

Eligible to apply

  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Public Institutions

Funding requirements

  • Project in a structurally weak or rural region
  • Legal entity with non-profit status
  • No receipt of a DSEE micro-grant in the current calendar year
  • Prohibition of double funding with EU, federal, state, or municipal funds

Documents required for application

  1. Project description
  2. Expenditure and financing plan
  3. Articles of association
  4. Current register excerpt
  5. Tax exemption certificate
  6. Application in the digital funding portal

Evaluation criteria

  • Innovative content and quality of project logic
  • Strengthening volunteer-based organizations
  • Inclusion of disadvantaged target groups
  • Regional distribution
  • Number of volunteers to be reached

Description

The micro-grant program "Recruit Volunteers. Retain Commitment. Strengthen Civil Society." of the German Foundation for Engagement and Volunteering (DSEE) is aimed at non-profit organizations in rural and structurally weak regions of Germany. With grants of up to €1,500 (funding rate 90%), the foundation supports measures that strengthen local engagement and volunteer structures. Funding is provided for qualification and networking offers, digital infrastructure, public relations, as well as recognition formats and workshops for the professionalization of club and project processes. Innovative formats for recruiting and retaining new target groups – especially people with limited access to volunteering – are equally in focus, as are events that highlight the value of voluntary work. The program funds material and fee expenses, volunteer allowances, and travel costs, but not personnel or investment costs for real estate and vehicles. Double funding with resources at the EU, federal, state, or municipal level is excluded.

Eligible to apply are legal entities under private or public law (e.g., associations, foundations, non-profit limited liability companies) that have not yet received a micro-grant from the DSEE in the current calendar year and whose project is implemented in a structurally weak or rural region. Applications must be submitted continuously via the digital funding portal; for projects in 2025, applications should be submitted by October 15. Required documents include, among others, a project description, an expenditure and financing plan, statutes, a current register excerpt, and a tax exemption certificate. The DSEE reviews all documents formally and substantively based on defined funding criteria such as innovation content, quality of project logic, and regional distribution. Applicants receive feedback within approximately eight weeks after complete submission. This allows smaller projects to be implemented quickly and volunteer structures to be sustainably strengthened.

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