Funding for Social Counselling, Support, and Integration of People with a Migration Background (Counselling and Integration Guideline – BIR)

Funding is aimed at various actors in Bavaria dedicated to the social counselling and integration of people with a migration background and asylum seekers. This includes welfare organizations, municipalities, and teaching staff who must meet specific criteria to receive support.

The program promotes a wide range of social counselling and integration measures, including the employment of counselling and support staff, special integration projects, and extracurricular homework assistance. Funding is limited to specific personnel and necessary material expenses.

Funding is provided as a non-repayable grant, the amount of which varies depending on the measure and type of expenses. There are both fixed-sum and percentage-based financings, with a 10% own contribution generally required. Project durations can be up to three years but end no later than the end of 2026.

To receive funding, applicants must meet specific qualification and financing requirements. There are also rules for collaboration in consortia and for combining with other funding. Special attention is paid to project financing requirements and compliance with legal provisions.

The application for funding is submitted to the Government of Middle Franconia and must be made by November 15th of the previous year for most measures. The approving authority decides on the grant at its discretion and also conducts an effectiveness review.

The funding is based on the Counselling and Integration Guideline (BIR) of the Bavarian State Ministry of the Interior, for Sport and Integration. It is in line with the Immigration Act and the Bavarian Integration Act, which create the legal framework for integration funding.