Funding for Self-Help Groups for Inclusion and Participation of People with Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses

This funding targets self-help groups that offer support to people with disabilities or chronic illnesses and their relatives. The program is exclusively limited to the federal state of Bavaria and aims to strengthen the self-initiative of those affected by establishing and maintaining such groups and to promote their social inclusion.

Concrete measures for inclusion and participation, taking place within the framework of self-help groups at the local level, are funded. This includes the regular exchange of information and experiences, as well as mutual assistance for coping with life. Activities limited to purely written information or the mere referral of assistance are excluded.

The program offers financial support in the form of grants. Self-help groups can receive an annual fixed amount of up to 400 Euros. The grant is provided as a fixed-sum financing within the framework of project funding and is tied to the availability of budget funds.

For funding, self-help groups must meet certain requirements, including a minimum number of members and regular meetings. The program is designed as individual funding; consortia are not foreseen. Important budgetary regulations and data protection requirements must be observed.

The application for funding must be submitted by November 1st of the preceding year. Self-help groups submit their application through one of the approved associations, which pre-examine the applications and forward them to the Bavarian Centre for Family and Social Affairs. The ZBFS makes the final decision on approval and disburses the funds.

The funding program is based on an announcement by the Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labour and Social Affairs and is subject to the provisions of the Bavarian Budget Code. This legal basis ensures the legitimacy and framework conditions of the funding.