Apply for support for the integration of refugees through sport

With the "Sport and Refugees" program, the state of Hesse supports Hessian municipalities in the integration of refugees on site through sports activities.

Making it easier for refugees to integrate into society through sports and exercise programs - this was the aim of the unique state program "Sport and Refugees" launched in Hesse in 2016 in cooperation with the Sportjugend Hessen. Since then, around 300 - mostly volunteer - sports coaches have been active every year. As networkers, they bundle the interests of all those involved locally (including local authorities, sports clubs, asylum support,

refugee initiatives, refugees). They take part in a training course once a year to ensure quality.

Hessian municipalities can use the funding - independently and tailored to local needs - for expense allowances for sports coaches and trainers, for material resources for sports and exercise activities with refugees and for intercultural training measures. There are separate funding opportunities for initial reception facilities.

In 2019, the funding program was expanded to include the second funding pillar "Qualification and Participation". Targeted qualification measures are intended to encourage refugees and migrants to volunteer or take on other voluntary work in sports clubs. In addition, the promotion of sports coach tandems - consisting of a sports coach with and without a personal migrant background - has been newly created. In this way, participants acquire qualifications that facilitate integration and at the same time become role models. On the other hand, clubs and sports coaches gain easier access to the target group.

At the end of 2018, the European Union presented the funding program with the #BeInclusive Sport Award in recognition of its valuable and important integration work.

The Hessian Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Sport, Health and Care is responsible for this.

Please contact the Sportjugend Hessen or the Hessian Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Sport, Health and Care.

You must submit the following when applying

• Application for funding
• Confirmation that the sports coach(es) is/are registered for training

You must submit a simple proof of use by March 31 of the following year:

• numerical proof of income and expenditure
• factual report (informal, PDF or Word format): The report must describe the use of the grant and the results achieved

PDF templates of the forms can also be requested from the competent authority if required.

A state grant can only be awarded if

• At least one sports coach has been appointed who is taking part in a training course specifically geared towards working with refugees.
• A contact person has been appointed in the administration of the municipality
• no state funds from other areas have been granted for the measure

An appeal can be lodged with the competent administrative court against the notices issued as part of the funding procedure within one month of notification.

To avoid unnecessary costs, it is recommended that you first contact the granting authority before filing an action, as in many cases any disagreements can be resolved with legal certainty before an action is filed. Please note, however, that such an out-of-court settlement attempt does not extend the time limit for bringing an action.

Application

• Hessian municipalities can submit funding applications via an online portal. The access data for this will be sent to you. Alternatively, you can submit a paper application, which will be sent to you on request.
• The Hessian Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Sport, Health and Care will check the form and content of your application and request any missing documents.
• If the decision is positive, you will be sent a grant notification.
• If the decision is negative, you will receive a rejection letter.

Payment:

• The state grant awarded will be paid out in full as a one-off payment or in installments in accordance with the provisions of the grant notification.
• After a waiver of the right to appeal (declaration on the notification of grant), payment will be made in full or as the first installment immediately.
• Verification of use of funds:
• A simple proof of use must be submitted by March 31 of the following year to verify the use of funds.
• If this results in objections, the state grants awarded may be reclaimed, even if they have already been spent. This may be the case, for example, if the funds have not been used for the intended purpose.

The funding procedure can be carried out in writing or online.

• Applications for regular funding must be submitted by: at any time by 30.04. of a year
• Application for training and qualification measures for tandems and training measures at any time up to 30.09. of a year
• Additional application to increase the number of refugees by 30% at any time by 30.09. of a year
• Additional application for additional requirements for initial reception facility: possible at any time
• Proof of use incl. factual report: by 31.03. of the following year

There are no fees.

If you are interested in becoming a sports coach as part of the support program, please contact your local authority or Volker Rehm, Sportjugend Hessen, sport-coach@sportjugend-hessen.de, 069-6789-245.