Working together on a project and breaking new grounds: The Cultural Assistant Programme supports organisations of German minorities with cultural, youth or media projects. Through ifa's grant for junior staff members, an organisation, association or editorial office can benefit from receiving a temporary, additional staff member. In this way, the funding programme for German minorities in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe offers the opportunity to implement extraordinary concepts and project ideas and to further develop their institutions. The duration of the grant is at least six weeks to a maximum of six months.
The Cultural Assistant Programme is designed for organisations, associations and editorial offices of German minorities or organisations that work closely with German minorities and who need additional personal and financial support for a limited period of time for a development project or a project idea. The following countries are currently taking part in the programme: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, the Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
ifa supports organisations with a monthly grant for a junior staff member. The grant amount ranges between 300 and 500 euros depending on the country depending where the organisation is located. The duration of the grant is at least six weeks to a maximum of six months.
The grant holders can also network and receive topic-relevant training as part of an ifa-organised seminar. The topics of these trainings will be shaped around the needs and interests of the grant holders. Topics include leadership and motivation of youth groups and volunteer teams, moderation methods, time management, conflict management, fundraising, project management, project development, public relations, intercultural communication or train-the-trainer seminars.
After completing the project, the experiences gained will be evaluated in a review account, and together, the participants reflect upon as to whether or not the goals of the cultural assistantship were achieved.
The grant holder must be a junior staff member of a German minorities institution or come from a German minority community and possess very good German language skills. In addition, the grant holder should possess initial practical experience in the planning and implementation of youth, cultural or media projects and is interested in becoming engaged in the institution in the longer term.
30 April 2022
In consultation with the respective umbrella organisation of the German minority and the German Missions Abroad of the Federal Republic of Germany, ifa will make a selection from the projects submitted. This selection is subject to the approval of the German Federal Foreign Office. Each applying organisation will be informed by email as to whether or not they will receive funding. The selected organisations then issue a public call for applications for the grant and in agreement with ifa, select a grant holder.
Call for bids Cultural Assistant Program 2022
Application Form Cultural Assistant Program
Minorities can mediate between cultures and provide impulses for the coexistence of different population groups – provided that the minorities are socially recognised, have a secure space to assert themselves and have access to appealing programmes. For this reason, they must be well positioned both institutionally and personally. The programmes for German Minorities support German minorities in Eastern Europe and in the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States in their role as civil society actors and bridge-builders. They thus promote a multifaceted, current and realistic image of Germany, contributing to the process of European integration and cultural relations within Europe and beyond.
Scholarship Programme Coordination (Job Shadowing and Cultural Assistant Programme, Social Media Travel Grant)
Charlottenplatz 17
D-70173 Stuttgart
