Grant

Sociocultural Support (Project Funding) of the Lower Saxony Foundation

Funding of participatory art and cultural projects in socio-cultural centers and associations in Lower Saxony that strengthen social cohesion and are implemented by professional cultural practitioners. Applications can be submitted year-round; decision rounds per committee up to five times annually.

Culture Social Cohesion/Democracy Education for Sustainable Development

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Grant criteria

Application Deadline: Ongoing
Application level: Advanced
Region: Lower Saxony
Only for non-profit organizations

Funding objective

Support for participatory art and cultural projects in socio-cultural centers and associations in Lower Saxony to strengthen social cohesion through projects with a high proportion of amateur participation, implemented by professional cultural practitioners.

Eligible expenses

  • Personnel expenses (project management, fees)
  • Material costs (materials, equipment)
  • Room rental and technical equipment
  • Travel expenses

Non-eligible expenses

  • Projects that have already started or have been rejected
  • Anniversaries, holiday programs, workshops, neighborhood festivals
  • Projects by schools or in the school context
  • Gap financing

Eligible to apply

  • Non-profit Organizations
  • Founders

Funding requirements

  • Registered office and operations in Lower Saxony
  • Non-profit status (tax exemption certificate not older than 3 years)
  • Project start after application submission or prior approval for early project commencement

Documents required for application

  1. Project description
  2. Financing plan
  3. Exemption notice
  4. Checklist for Ecological Sustainability (PDF)
  5. Curriculum vitae of the applicants

Evaluation criteria

  • Degree of participation and target group involvement
  • Quality and feasibility of the concept
  • Contribution to social cohesion
  • Sustainability aspects (ecological, social)

Description

The sociocultural funding of the Niedersachsen Foundation supports non-profit associations, sociocultural centers, and newly established initiatives in Lower Saxony in the implementation of participatory art and cultural projects. Participating organizations can submit applications throughout the year; after review, up to five decision dates take place annually. Projects with a high proportion of amateur participation and professional support by cultural practitioners that strengthen social cohesion are funded. Eligible expenses include personnel costs (project management, fees), material costs (materials, equipment), room rental and technical equipment, as well as travel expenses. A prerequisite is a registered office and operational impact in Lower Saxony, a current exemption certificate (not older than three years), and a project start after application submission or prior to approval of an early project start. Projects already started or previously rejected, city festivals, school projects, and gap financing are not eligible for application.

The evaluation focuses primarily on the degree of involvement of different target groups and the quality of the concept. Also considered are feasibility, contribution to social cohesion, as well as ecological and social sustainability aspects. For the online application, among other documents, a detailed project description, a financing plan, the exemption certificate, the completed “Ecological Sustainability” checklist, and the CVs of the applicants must be submitted. Applicants benefit from low-threshold forms of participation and intensive professional support during the decision-making process. The program annually funds numerous innovative projects that provide impulses for a vibrant and democratic cultural landscape in Lower Saxony.

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