Projects that

• are limited in time and content
• are participatory and involve local people
• deal with a socio-political or social issue
• pursue innovative approaches and try something new (current topic, new format, new target group, unusual locations, etc.)

• Ongoing work (e.g. regular course programme, series of events, ongoing operating costs, etc. = institutional funding)
• Projects whose cost-relevant planning has already begun (conceptual preparatory work is not included)
• Projects with a financial profit; any income generated (ticket sales, donations, etc.) must also be allocated to the project
• Projects that are not organised/implemented by young people (permitted age: 18-25 years)
• Scholarships
• School projects that are a substitute for regular class time
• Projects with approved co-financing from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) or from an institution permanently funded by the BKM (e.g. Hauptstadtkulturfonds, Stiftung Kunstfonds, Fonds Darstellende Künste, Kulturstiftung des Bundes etc.)

• Persons between the ages of 18 and 25 with permanent residence in Germany. Legal representation by an association, initiative or similar is possible. However, the project management, planning and realisation must clearly lie with the young project leaders.
• People who have little or no experience with project funding (existing experience is not a reason for exclusion)
• Applications from rural areas are expressly welcome. 

• Project leaders who are older than 25 years of age
• Applicants residing abroad
• People who have already submitted an application in the same funding round (only one application per person is possible)

• The cost and financing plan (KoFi) must list all expenses and income of the project (not just the funds applied for)
• It is not possible to receive 100% funding from the Socioculture Fund, so the KoFi must also include (1) third-party funding or (2) own income.
  • Third-party funds:
    • are all subsidies/grants from private or public institutions (e.g. foundations, banks, state, municipality, etc.)
    • must not have been approved at the time of application.
    • must not come from other funding programs of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM)
  • Own funds:
    • are e.g. income, private donations, membership fees and reserves
• The calculation should be as accurate as possible. Subsequent changes/postponements of expenditure are possible, but must be authorised by Fonds Soziokultur.
• The cost plan may only include expenses for which there will later be a verifiable cash movement (invoice and proof of payment, e.g. bank statement)
• In case of fees, please state the number of persons, the service and the fee rate (e.g. _persons * _ hours/daily rate * _ euros).

► Sample Financing plan

In general, all expenses (except investments) that are incurred later in the project in euros are eligible for funding. The expenditure should match the project activities specified in the application. These can be:

• Fee costs
• Pro rata personnel costs for permanent staff (please state the percentage of working hours included)
• Volunteer allowances (if these are actually paid)
• Rent of premises (if this is actually paid)
• Advertising, printing posters/flyers, construction of stage set etc.
• Hire of technical equipment
• Travel expenses/overnight accommodation costs in accordance with the Federal Travel Expenses Act
• Purchase of small materials (purchases under €800 net per individual purchase)
• Catering expenses for participants (within reasonable limits)
• Gema, KSK, other fees fees

• Investive expenses: all purchases over € 800 net per individual purchase. However, if the cost plan only consists of the purchase of very small materials (less than € 800) and does not include any other expenses (e.g. fees) - or if the share of the purchase of very small materials exceeds a total of € 2,000, the application as a whole must again be considered an investment application and is therefore excluded from funding.
• Administrative costs lump-sum: No lump sum settlement of office or administrative expenses can be recognized. In the event of funding, all expenses must later be documented with individual receipts (each postage purchase, purchase of print cartridges, telephone charges, etc.).
• Travel allowances: Travel expenses must be reimbursed in accordance with the Federal Travel Expenses Act. Lump sum reimbursements are not eligible.
• Personal contributions/provided materials: Expenses for which there will be no subsequent payment movement (voluntary services, waiver of fees, free use of rooms or technology).
• Loss of rent fees: If the applicant has his/her own rooms that are used for the project, no loss of a possible rental of these rooms can be claimed.
• Reminder fees / interest on arrears / fines / contractual penalties / tips
• Alcoholic beverages / stimulants / medication / deposit payments: Alcoholic beverages may be eligible for funding at a premiere/vernissage.
• Hospitality costs for internal meetings: team meetings, get-togethers
• Discounts
• VAT if you are entitled to deduct input tax: Your tax advisor can tell you whether you are entitled to deduct input tax.