Apply for funding from the ESF Plus program "Win-Win - Cooperation for Integration"

The funding procedure for the ESF Plus "Win-Win" program is a two-stage process. In the 1st step, you submit an expression of interest. In the 2nd step, the selected project sponsors are invited to submit an application.

Step 1:

• You submit expressions of interest electronically via the Z-EU-S funding portal online service. Please note the deadlines announced separately.
• An independent expert institute will evaluate the submitted expressions of interest. The selection is based on defined selection criteria and weightings. These include
  • Aspects of suitability and funding,
  • Formation and cooperation of a new cooperation network,
  • Quality of the project concept,
  • quality of the work plan and schedule,
  • continuation and transfer of social innovations and the
  • economic efficiency of the project.

Step 2:

• If your project is positively assessed in the 1st stage, you will be asked to submit a formal, written funding application via the Z-EU-S funding portal.

If your project is approved, the usual regulations for grants apply, supplemented by special regulations for federal funding from the European Social Fund 2021-2027.

You can submit an application

• as a legal entity under private or public law,
• as a partnership with legal capacity, for example as
  • a municipality,
  • an independent welfare organization,
  • other non-profit organization,
  • research institute,
  • association or
  • company.

Please note the following requirements:

• own financial contribution of 5 percent of the total expenditure of a project.
• Formation of a new cooperation network consisting of public, civil society and private organizations.

Natural persons are excluded from funding.

For the expression of interest, a project concept, which is made available on the Z-EU-S funding portal, must be submitted with information on the following points:

• Professional and administrative qualifications of the applicant
• Social problems and need for action for the target group
• Local stakeholder analysis and formation of a new cooperation network
• Objective and socially innovative approach of the project
• Integration and perpetuation of projects in the municipal integration strategy or in municipal structures and transfer of social innovations
• Target values of the project
• Contribution to the implementation of cross-sectoral principles (formerly cross-cutting objectives)
• Work plan and timetable
• Financing plan

In the case of funding, you must submit the following documents, among others:

• Confirmation of co-financing,
• Cooperation agreements,
• job descriptions,
• proof of bank account.

• Article 4(1)(h) Regulation (EU) No 2021/1057
• Regulation (EU) No 2021/1060
• § Section 23 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO)
• § Section 44 Federal Budget Code (BHO) paragraph 1
• in conjunction with General Administrative Provisions (VV) No. 4 to Section 44 of the Federal Budget Code (BHO)

• You can appeal against decisions made as part of the approval process (grant notification, final decision) via the funding portal
  Z-EU-S funding portal.
• A direct appeal procedure is also permitted against decisions made as part of the expression of interest procedure - provided these were issued by a supreme federal authority

Forms available: No

Written form required: Yes

Informal application possible: No

Personal appearance necessary: No

You can replace the written form with the electronic form of the qualified electronic signature (QES) or electronic proof of identity (eID) approved in the Z-EU-S funding portal.

Please give preference to the electronic form.

Only in exceptional cases can you apply to submit the signature by post.

In such exceptional cases, you must download the electronically recorded forms submitted in Z-EU-S after electronic submission. You must then sign the forms by hand and submit them by post. Please note the applicable deadlines.

11.01.2023