Strengthening Care in Local Communities (Good Care Funding Guideline in Bavaria – GutePflegeFöR)

The funding program 'Strengthening Care in Local Communities (GutePflegeFöR)' primarily targets municipalities in Bavaria. It aims to enable these municipalities to develop and implement projects that strengthen needs-based and person-centered care in local communities. This is intended to allow people with care needs or impending care needs to live in their familiar home environment for as long as possible. The program also promotes the networking of care services and the integration of existing care structures.

This funding program supports a range of projects and measures aimed at improving care in local communities, with a strong focus on strengthening home care and networking care services. Eligible activities include building cooperative structures in the care sector, implementing preventive care initiatives, and developing model projects to improve outpatient care structures.

The program grants non-repayable subsidies as project funding through a partial financing of eligible expenditures. The funding rate varies depending on the financial strength of the municipality and the number of people in need of care per inhabitant, from 70% up to 90% of eligible costs. A co-financing contribution of at least 10% is required. Projects can be funded for a duration of up to three years.

Applicants must submit a detailed cost and financing plan as well as a comprehensive project description including a technical concept. A co-financing contribution of at least 10% of the eligible expenditures is mandatory. The program is subject to specific de minimis regulations, compliance with which must be ensured by a corresponding declaration from the applicants to guarantee compatibility with EU state aid rules.

Applications must be submitted using the official forms to the Bavarian State Office for Nursing (Bayerisches Landesamt für Pflege), Department 42, by the deadlines of March 1st and September 1st of each year. Decisions on applications are made after these deadlines. Follow-up applications for concepts already funded are also possible.

The funding program is officially established and regulated by the 'Guideline for Strengthening Care in Local Communities (Good Care Funding Guideline in Bavaria – GutePflegeFöR)' of the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care. Further fundamental legal principles are Articles 23 and 44 of the Bavarian Budget Code (BayHO) and the associated administrative regulations.