Literacy courses; application for funding

The "ALPHA+ besser lesen und schreiben" ("ALPHA+ better reading and writing") funding scheme is intended to provide suitable organizations throughout Bavaria with a financial incentive to run literacy courses for adults.

Purpose

The purpose of funding literacy courses is primarily to improve the literacy skills of people with low literacy levels. The "ALPHA+ besser lesen und schreiben" ("ALPHA+ better reading and writing") funding program aims to offer financial incentives to suitable providers throughout Bavaria for the implementation of literacy courses for adults who are unable to participate in professional and social life in an appropriate manner due to their limited literacy skills.

Object

Funding is provided for the implementation of literacy courses for people aged 15 and over with significant deficits in written language skills who are resident or ordinarily resident in Bavaria. Significant deficits in literacy skills are deemed to exist if alpha level 3 is not exceeded in one of the main skills (reading or writing).

Recipients of grants

Grant recipients can be legal entities under public or private law. The latter must be recognized by the tax authorities as a non-profit organization; proof of this must be enclosed with the application documents.

Eligible costs

• Cost item 1.1: For each proven teaching unit (= 45 minutes) for the implementation of the "Literacy courses for asylum seekers - Alpha+", a lump sum of EUR 42.23 can be charged (this also includes the hours of the learning level assessment or performance assessment).
• Cost item 1.2: For each proven teaching unit (= 45 minutes) for socio-educational support or general assistance for the participants, a lump sum of EUR 42.23 can be charged.
• Cost item 2: Max. 50 euros (lump sum) for each proven project leader lesson (= 60 minutes):
  • up to 10 additional project leader hours for courses of up to 100 teaching units,
  • for courses up to 150 teaching units additionally up to 15 project leader hours,
  • up to 20 additional project manager hours for courses of up to 200 teaching units.
• Cost item 3: In cases where childcare is provided during lessons or during socio-educational support or general assistance, a flat-rate expense of EUR 25 per teaching unit (= 45 minutes) of proven childcare can be recognized. If it is proven that a second childcare worker is required, the lump sum can be doubled.
• Cost item 4: For equipment as well as teaching and learning materials, a lump sum of EUR 5 per proven teaching unit can be applied.
• Cost item 5: A flat rate of 12 percent of the direct costs (expenditure items 1.1, 1.2, 2, 3 and 4) can be applied to the total indirect costs.

Type and amount

The funding is granted in the form of pro rata financing/capital participation.

The type of grant is project funding.

The grant is awarded as project funding in the form of lump-sum proportional financing. The grant from the Free State of Bavaria can amount to a maximum of 90% of the total eligible lump-sum expenditure. The applicant's own funds must amount to at least 10%.

• Required Documents
  • Projektkonzept
  • Referenzen des Projektträgers oder Nachweise über zertifiziertes Qualitätsmanagement, Auditierung oder Gütesiegel: Hierfür genügt auch die Eigenschaft als staatlich anerkannter Träger der Erwachsenenbildung nach dem Bayerischen Gesetz zur Förderung der Erwachsenenbildung (BayEbFöG).
  • Nachweise über Qualifikationen des eingesetzten Bildungspersonals
  • Kosten- und Finanzierungsplan
  • vorläufige Teilnehmerliste

Funding recipients must submit a course concept using a sample form that takes into account at least the following points:

• the specific initial situation on site and the need for the project,
• Description of the course content,
• description of how the learning and performance level of the course participants is determined
• Timely implementation of the measure,
• Use of qualified personnel who must meet the following requirements:
  • pedagogical studies (e.g. teaching degree, educational science, social pedagogy, special or remedial education)
  • or a degree in "German as a second language or German as a foreign language" or linguistics
  • or have completed at least four semesters in one of the above-mentioned degree programs
  • or several years of professional experience in basic education and language teaching or in adult education.
• In addition, teachers need
  • a successful basic qualification in literacy/basic education (ProGrundbildung)
  • or a license from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees for literacy courses
  • or another qualification for literacy courses.
• A course is eligible for funding if at least three participants are present for the entire duration of the project.
• A course must comprise a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 200 teaching units of 45 minutes each.
• The following additional teaching units (TU) can be claimed for socio-educational support or general assistance in all life situations:
  • for courses of up to 100 teaching units, up to an additional 30 teaching units,
  • up to 35 additional teaching units for courses of up to 150 teaching units,
  • up to 40 additional teaching units for courses of up to 200 teaching units.
• Up to 30 percent of the teaching units can be held using alternative learning methods (e.g. in online format). If the course includes teaching units to compensate for basic education deficits in mathematics and economics (e.g. handling money), these must take place as part of regular lessons.

The grant recipient must keep a class register and list of participants.

The application must be submitted to the government of Lower Bavaria.

The Government of Lower Bavaria is responsible for the implementation of the project as well as the approval, proof of use and reclaim procedure.

The application for funding must be submitted to the government of Lower Bavaria via the online procedure. Until the online procedure and the associated forms are available, applications must be submitted in writing. The necessary forms can be requested from the Government of Lower Bavaria until then.

The application deadline is 2 week(s). The application for funding must be submitted at least two weeks before the planned start of the course. The funding runs until 31.12.2026.

A processing time of up to 4 week(s) is to be expected.

If necessary, childcare is available during the lessons.