Federal programme "Live Democracy!"

Call for applications for the expression of interest procedure

An expression of interest in implementing the Partnership for Democracy in the Salzlandkreis for the year 2027 as part of the federal programme ‘Living Democracy! Promoting Democracy. Shaping Diversity. Preventing Extremism.’

Partnership for Democracy in the Salzlandkreis - Bernburg (Saale) and Staßfurt

The federal programme “Living Democracy! Promoting Democracy. Shaping Diversity. Preventing Extremism’ aims to promote civic engagement and democratic behaviour at local level. Support is provided to associations and initiatives that propose projects designed to preserve and strengthen democracy, shape diversity in society and prevent extremism. Under this federal programme, the Salzlandkreis has been given the opportunity to further develop a ‘Partnership for Democracy’ from 1 January 2027. To implement the action plan, project funding has been made available to the Salzlandkreis for the Staßfurt and Bernburg (Saale) region in 2027; this funding can be allocated to suitable project organisers following an application process.

The local point of contact is the lead agency, which is based within the Salzlandkreis Youth and Family Services Department.

Terms and conditions of participation:

non-governmental organisations that meet the following conditions:

• Fulfilment of the technical requirements for the planned project and relevant experience in the programme’s subject area;
• Ensuring proper corporate governance, in particular compliance with the principles of proper accounting (GoB) in the context of financial reporting;
• A guarantee that the funding will be used in a manner appropriate to its purpose, in an economical and prudent manner, and that evidence of its use in accordance with its intended purpose will be provided;
• Proof of charitable status in accordance with Sections 51 et seq. of the German Fiscal Code (AO); alternatively, initially proof that an application for recognition as a non-profit organisation has been submitted in accordance with Sections 51 et seq. of the AO, or proof that the partnership agreement/articles of association are, in principle, compatible with the requirements for non-profit status;
• Those who are committed to promoting diversity, tolerance and democracy, who take a clear stand against extremism, xenophobia and anti-Semitism in their work, and who wish to play an active part in the Partnership for Democracy in the Salzlandkreis.

Eligible project areas

1. Action and initiative funds, as well as public relations projects

2. Youth Fund

Projects must comply with the objectives of the federal programme “Demokratie leben!” and with the funding guidelines for the award of grants for measures to strengthen diversity, tolerance and democracy, as updated on 20 November 2024.

Deadline for expressions of interest: 31 October 2026

Authorisation period: 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2027

Advice on applications and submission of applications to:

Information on expressions of interest:

Applicants must:

• Please submit your expression of interest in writing and digitally to the lead agency by 31 October 2026
• Describe the key performance indicators for expressions of interest in detail;
• Actively involve cooperation partners in the implementation of the project
• carry out their measures in close consultation with the lead department and the alliance, ensure that results are recorded and document the measures.

Reference is made to the entry into force of the General Data Protection Regulation – Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC – with effect from 25 May 2018. The declaration of consent regarding data protection must be attached to the application.

Statement of use:

The breakdown of costs and the original supporting documents must be submitted to the lead agency by the agreed deadline. Funding may only be requested to the extent and no sooner than is necessary to cover payments due within six weeks of disbursement. A factual report is a mandatory component of the statement of expenditure. In addition to the progress of the project, this report must document and analyse the results achieved, based on the evaluation criteria set out in the application. As part of the public relations work accompanying the project, it must be stated that the project is being carried out with funding from the federal programme ‘Living Democracy! Promoting Democracy. Shaping Diversity. Preventing Extremism.’ within the framework of the Partnership for Democracy.

Under the federal programme, a consortium decides on the applications received; the applications are then subject to a substantive review by the coordinating office at the Federal Office for Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions (BAFzA).

1.1 Expression of interest in projects

In accordance with the guidelines on funding local ‘Partnerships for Democracy’ dated 20 November 2024, the following project ideas are sought in the areas of action – promoting democracy, shaping diversity and preventing extremism – to help achieve the objectives of the Salzlandkreis:

Implementation of projects and high-profile events on the following topics:

• Strengthening a vibrant, diverse and democratic civil society at local level,
• to strengthen democratic values, socio-political competence and civic engagement,

• promote and strengthen acceptance of religious, cultural, ethnic and sexual diversity,
• to strengthen the democratic community and to support commitment to participation and cultural diversity,

• contribute to the eradication and prevention of right-wing extremism, as well as racism and all other forms of group-focused hostility, in particular Islamophobia and anti-Semitism, in our society,

• empower social minorities and those affected by group-focused hostility to exercise their rights,

• respond to right-wing and racist violence by offering support to those affected,

• to encourage critical engagement with anti-democratic tendencies, particularly in the form of politically motivated extremism, as well as Islamism and Salafism,

• contribute to the prevention of radicalisation processes,

• To provide information, advice and support to people who wish to leave far-right or religiously radicalised groups, and to their relatives who wish to support them through this process,

• develop new forms of democratic participation for individuals and groups who have not yet been reached,

• Teaching media literacy, promoting innovative counter-strategies and raising awareness of online hate,

• Outreach workers and specialists in the provision of

receive further training in human rights-based values and in the other areas of activity mentioned,

• Strengthening democracy amongst children and young people: Needs-based programmes and project days at nurseries, primary schools and secondary schools to promote an understanding of democracy. Low-threshold themed days at nurseries and primary schools.
• Raising awareness of current issues, responding to current events and social issues; unforeseeable events such as wars, climate disasters and their consequences, and conspiracy theories
• Strengthening youth work (youth forums, youth advisory councils) and opportunities for participation in the funding region

Target groups:

• Children and young people from the Staßfurt and Bernburg (Saale) regions
• Parents, family members and key adults in the lives of children and young people
• Rural population – Public relations work to publicise the partnership’s objectives and content – rural communities should be actively engaged and involved through projects.
• Young adults, as well as those working on a voluntary, part-time or full-time basis in child and youth welfare services and in other settings that foster socialisation
• Multipliers
• The general public

• Civil society and government stakeholders

• Alliance partners

• Specialists and opinion leaders

Delivery head:

Funding of up to EUR 65,034.00 is available for projects under the Action and Initiative Fund, and EUR 10,000.00 is available for public relations projects.

1.2. Expression of interest in the Youth Fund

Implementation of projects by the youth forums to strengthen young people’s participation in the ‘Partnership for Democracy’, focusing on the following topics:

• Further development and support for youth advisory councils
• Management of a youth fund
• Project funding for the work of the youth funds

Target groups:

• Children and young people from the Staßfurt and Bernburg (Saale) regions

Delivery head:

A total of EUR 6,000.00 is available to fund the projects.

Please submit the expression of interest form to the Salzlandkreis by 31 October 2026.

In addition: