Apply for funding for German-Polish art and cultural projects

If you would like to plan and implement a German-Polish or Polish art or cultural project, you can apply for funding under certain conditions.

The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) promotes Polish art and culture in Germany. Funding is based on the Agreement on Good Neighborliness and Friendship between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Republic of Poland of June 17, 1991.

In order to receive funding, you must be resident in Germany. This means that you are liable to pay tax in Germany.

Artistic or cultural projects with a German-Polish or Polish connection can be funded, especially if they

• provide a forum for Polish culture and history in Germany,
• bring the cultural life of the Polish-speaking population into the German cultural scene,
• contribute to the preservation and cultivation of the Polish language, culture and tradition in Germany
• make a significant contribution to German-Polish understanding,
• enable the Polish-speaking population to present their culture to the German public,
• have a connection to the Polish-speaking youth,
• are perceived supra-regionally, for example across federal states or districts.

In principle, you can receive funding for any area of culture, for example for

• visual arts,
• performing arts,
• literature,
• music,
• dance,
• folklore,
• architecture,
• fashion,
• design,
• graphics,
• film,
• photography,
• new media,
• young artists' competitions and young artists' projects.

Funding for your project is excluded if the project has already been started or completed.

Funding amount

You can receive funding of up to EUR 20,000. The amount of your funding depends on

• how much of your own funds you can contribute,
• how much money you receive from other donors and
• the extent to which your project contributes to the promotion of Polish art and culture in Germany.

If you receive funding and your project is completed, you must prove that you have used the funding for the purpose of the project. You must keep all invoices and receipts relating to the eligible costs.

• Application for funding
• Cost and financing plan included
  • available own funds
  • Third-party funding pledged or promised
  • Funding amount applied for
• If applicable, further funding applications and commitments from third parties
• Project description with
  • Justifications and explanations
  • Aim and purpose of the project
  • working methods
  • Expected results
  • Significance of the measure for the project sponsor
• Program with time schedule of the individual measures
• List of all project participants with reference to their qualifications and an outline of the topics
• for cost items from EUR 500.00:
  • at least 3 informal cost statements
• for registered associations:
  • chronological excerpt from the register of associations on the right of representation
• Preliminary calculation for publications
• Employment contracts of project staff, for example
  • contracts for work
  • fixed-term employment contracts
  • fee contracts
• Notification of entitlement to deduct input tax

Once you have completed your project, you must submit the following documents:

• Proof of use of the funding received
• Report on the success of the project
  

• You must be resident in Germany.
• You are
  • a non-profit legal entity under private law, such as
    • an association or
    • a foundation,
  • or a legal entity under public law, such as
    • a corporation,
    • an institution or
    • a foundation,
  • or a local authority, such as, for example
    • a municipality or
    • a district,
  • or a non-profit church organization.
• Your project is also co-financed by your own funds, funds from federal states and local authorities or donations from third parties.
• You have not yet started your project.
• As the applicant, you are carrying out the project.
  

• Appeal within one month of notification of the approval notice
• Action before the administrative court
  

You can apply for funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) in writing or online.

If you apply for project funding online:

• Go to the federal portal and complete the application form electronically.
• For the online application, you will need an electronic ID document, for example your ELSTER organization certificate. Upload the required documents - preferably summarized - as a file (in the file formats PDF, DOCX, JPEG, PNG, maximum 10 megabytes per file) and send the application.
• You will receive a confirmation of receipt from the BKM.

If you are applying for project funding in writing:

• Go to the website of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and download the application form there.
• Complete the application form, print it out, sign it and send it to the relevant department together with all the other required documents.
• Please also send the documents by e-mail to K44@bkm.bund.de.
• You will receive a confirmation of receipt from the BKM.

Further procedural steps:

• Your application will be forwarded by the BKM to a jury of experts in German-Polish cultural relations. The jury will advise the BKM on its decision on your application.
• The BKM will inform you of its decision. The BKM will then forward your application to the Federal Office of Administration (BVA). The BVA will check your cost and financing plan.
• The BVA will inform you in writing whether your application for funding has been approved.
• If you receive funding, the BVA will send you the grant notification and further information on how to request the funding.
• You can request the funding if you need it for a payment within 6 weeks of the disbursement.
  • If you do not use the funding for payments due within 6 weeks of receipt, you must inform the Federal Office of Administration (BVA) immediately.

Once you have completed your project, you must prove to the BVA that you have spent the money from the grant on your project.

Applications for funding can be submitted twice a year:

• for the following year: by September 30 (date of receipt)
• for the second half of the current year: by March 31 (date of receipt)
  

There are no costs.

There are no indications or special features.