Do you know who I am?

The interreligious project “Do you know who I am?” promotes peaceful dialogue and cooperation among the three major religious communities in Germany. Through a joint initiative of the Working Group of Christian Churches in Germany, the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and the Coordination Council of Muslims, an innovative approach is pursued that strengthens social cohesion. Supported by the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the focus is on educational offerings such as integration courses and interreligious dialogue formats – for example, cultural festivals or visits to places of worship – which contribute to combating antisemitism, (anti-Muslim) racism, and religious hostility. This funding program is aimed at non-profit organizations that wish to complement their own funds with a creative concept and thereby close the financing gap.

The funding amounting to up to 15,000 euros constitutes an important component for putting innovative projects for interreligious understanding into practice. The application requirements foresee close cooperation: at least two applicants of different religious affiliations must act as joint project sponsors, whereby a well-founded bilateral sponsorship structure, supplemented by the conceptual inclusion of the third religion, is required. Among other things, educational offerings such as special courses and events for women, as well as interreligious dialogue events, can be supported. The funding measure thus specifically supports projects in which local multipliers and young adults actively contribute to integration. Additionally, attention is paid to ensuring that the application is completed digitally and submitted at least four weeks before the project start to guarantee a smooth process.

Through targeted support of projects that advance interreligious exchange, “Do you know who I am?” makes a sustainable contribution to social cohesion in Germany. The initiative combines innovative educational formats with practice-oriented dialogue formats to break down barriers and overcome prejudices. The strategic rejection of discrimination and the simultaneous promotion of coexistence among diverse religious communities form the core of the funding objective. This opens up opportunities for non-profit organizations to realize projects that address the challenges of social integration and compensate for unmet needs through targeted gap financing. By closing the financing gap in own funds, the foundation is laid for successful interreligious cooperation that contributes to peaceful coexistence in Germany in the long term.