Heroes of the homeland Upper Franconia 2025
We are entering the fourth round of our "Heroes of Home" program, a competition concept we initiated specifically to promote regional engagement in Upper Franconia. We highlight and honor social engagement in Upper Franconia—and support teams in further developing their impact, networking, and growing sustainably.
Follow the heroic journey of our projects on our social media channels and join "Heroes of Home" live! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
Heroine Mission 2025: Create a new impact for Upper Franconia!
We are looking for social actors who want to solve social challenges related to the Upper Franconia region and who want to work with our coaches to effectively establish and expand their commitment. To this end, we are once again collaborating with the Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Bayreuth.
Your way into the program
Step 1: Written application
From May 15 to September 30, 2025, your team can apply for a place in the "Heroes of the Homeland" program. To do so, send the completed and signed application form to helden@raps-stiftung.de. Your contact person is foundation representative Miriam Lindner. The program team will make a preliminary selection based on the application documents.
Step 2: Personal interview
If your application documents convince us, we will invite your team to an online interview between November 12 and 20, 2025. We will ask questions about your organization/project/idea, follow up on these, and give you the opportunity to get to know us and the program.
The program
Have you convinced us? Then you are our Heroes of Home 2025! This means that you will start the first phase of the program ("Further Development and Networking") together with nine other teams and can qualify for the second phase ("Impact and Growth").
After making your selection in Phase 1, you will receive an invitation to a "Get Together at Heinersreuther Hof" on the afternoon of December 13, 2025, to get to know each other.
Phase 1: Further development and networking (January - October 2026)
Together with you, we want to enable your organization/project/idea to bring about real social change and thus initiate sustainable social change in Upper Franconia.
Heroine workshops and coaching sessions
Our coaches work with all teams to bring your team even closer together, create a clear vision, sharpen your impact, communicate in a target group-specific manner, and create opportunities to finance your organization/project/idea on a long-term basis. The workshops are designed so that you work directly on your organization/project/idea. Between sessions, you will receive tasks to further develop/implement your offering with your target group.
Our planned workshop and coaching dates:
- Initial coaching in January / February 2026 in consultation with the teams (approx. 30 min., online)
- Workshop 1: Friday, March 13, 2026 (4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) & Saturday, March 14, 2026 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Workshop 2: Saturday, 09.05.2026 (10:00-17:00)
- Workshop 3: Friday, July 10, 2026 (3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) & Saturday, July 11, 2026 (10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
- Coaching Project Pitch: Thursday, September 24, 2026 & Friday, September 25, 2026 (approx. 30 min., online)
"Heroes of Home Festival" (Saturday, October 17, 2026)
Phase 1 of our program ends with the festive "Heroes of Home" festival. There, you will present your grown organization/project/idea. Don't worry: we will ensure a comfortable atmosphere in which you are the center of attention, but don't have to be afraid of the big stage.
By presenting your offer, your development steps, and your plans for the future, you can convince a jury here and qualify as one of three teams for phase 2 of "Heroes of the Homeland. "
Phase 2: Working and growing (October 2026 - November 2027)
If you impress the jury at the "Heroes of Home" festival, you will be part of the one-year coaching program. During this phase, coaches will be at your side to support you and your organization in implementing your proposal and increasing your impact in Upper Franconia.
Financial support
Each team receives unconditional hero money totaling a maximum of €15,000. The special thing is that you decide the amount and type of payment yourself. For example, a one-off call for donations for a larger investment or monthly recurring payments for the basic financing of your offer are conceivable.
Coaching
You will receive individual monthly coaching to help you advance your organization in a targeted and accompanied manner.
Workshops
Together with the other teams in this phase, you will have the opportunity to work with our coaches on topics such as financing or scaling your impact in greater depth.
The added value of the program for you
Your added value in phase 1
If your team is selected as "Heroes of the Homeland 2025", you will receive support in the 1st phase of the program in the form of workshops and coaching and will be an active part of the "Heroes of the Homeland" festival on October 17, 2026.
More visibility
With the title "Heroes of Upper Franconia 2025" you will receive more attention for your offer. This will strengthen the trust of your target group, supporters and donors in your offer.
Stronger team cohesion and orientation
An effective project requires an effective team. We strengthen your team culture and support you in achieving your goals as a team. Participation in the program also gives you fixed time slots in which you can work intensively as a team on your offers to increase your impact.
New perspectives and contacts
Through the workshops, coaching and working with other teams, you will gain new perspectives for your commitment. Depending on the challenge you are currently facing, we will look for solutions together. The only requirement is that you are open to thinking outside the box! You can also become part of the #heldenderheimatoberfranken network.
Your added value in phase 2
If your team was able to convince the jury at the "Heroines of the Homeland" festival, you will receive unconditional heroine money of a maximum of €15,000 in the second phase of the program and will be accompanied by further workshops and 1-year coaching to expand your impact.
More freedom
The financial support gives you the freedom to use your resources according to your needs. You can take your time to work on your project.
More security
Through regular exchanges with the coaches, you can gain the confidence to implement the developed program content in the long term. You will gain companions who will help you to identify solutions, further develop your program and, if necessary, bring you back to the basics.
Sustainable growth
In the coaching sessions and other workshops, you will be coached by real experts and receive not only know-how but also first-hand feedback. You benefit from the experience of others, can grow and develop further.