[This opportunity is provided by LOKAL – Programme for Culture and Engagement, the German Federal Cultural Foundation, the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) and the European Cultural Foundation. The following text is the original description provided by the organisers. Please note that while we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, the European Heritage Hub does not guarantee the accuracy or endorse the content of this initiative]
When people and opinions noticeably drift apart, it’s all the more important to have places where people can meet, engage in dialogue, and ideally find a way to overcome their differences. With LOKAL – Programme for Culture and Engagement, the German Federal Cultural Foundation, the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) and the European Cultural Foundation want to support German cultural organisations in cities and communities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants. The aim is to establish new partnerships and initiate participative art projects.
The programme is specifically targeted at cultural organisations – for example, art and cultural associations, sociocultural centres, theatres and libraries – which are facing challenges from increasingly antiliberal local developments or find themselves struggling to counter them. The programme enables them to seek new allies, such as local, midsized businesses, sports clubs or nursing homes, to jointly develop artistic projects. In these projects, professional artists will collaborate with residents on location on issues that directly impact their communities. In this way, the programme will help establish new, strong networks in at least 26 cities and towns throughout Germany.
Application and funding
German cultural organisations are invited to submit their applications for LOKAL funding in digital form by 14 February 2025. All cultural organisations (with or without a physical venue) which offer cultural events on a regular basis are eligible to apply. Applicants are required to submit a short profile substantiating their local commitment to social engagement. This programme will finance networking activities in at least 26 locations with up to 240,000 euros expended over a four year period to help establish local partnerships and enable them to jointly develop artistic projects. For those interested in applying, detailed information is provided in our corresponding funding guidelines.
All applicants – especially those who have never previously applied for funding through the German Federal Cultural Foundation – are invited to participate in four application workshops at selected locations in Germany. The first workshop will take place on 15 January 2025 in Eberswalde; additional workshops are planned in Gera on 17 January, Ludwigsburg on 21 January and Hildesheim on 23 January 2025.
