Heroes of the homeland Upper Franconia 2025
We are entering the fourth round of our "Heroes of the Homeland" program, the specially initiated competition concept to activate regional commitment for Upper Franconia.
Heroine Mission 2025: Create a new impact for Upper Franconia!
The declared heroine mission: We want to create an impact for the Upper Franconia region with you! That's why we are looking for social actors who (want to) solve social challenges related to the region of Upper Franconia and would like to effectively develop and expand their commitment together with our coaches. To this end, we are once again working together 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, please complete and sign the application form and send it to helden@raps-stiftung.de. Your contact person is foundation officer Miriam Lindner. The program team will make a pre-selection based on the application documents.
Step 2: Personal interview
If you have convinced us with your documents, we will invite you as a team to an online interview between November 12 and 20, 2025. We will ask questions about your organization/your project/your idea, follow up and would also like to give you the opportunity to get to know us and the program.
The program
You have convinced us with your team and your organization/your project/your idea? Then you are our Heroes of Heimat 2025! This means that you and nine other teams can start the first phase of the program ("Develop and Network") and qualify for the second phase ("Work and Grow").
After you have made it to Phase 1, you will receive an invitation to a "Get Together at Heinersreuther Hof" on the afternoon of December 13, 2025, where the selected teams will have the opportunity to get to know each other.
Phase 1: Further development and networking (January - October 2026)
Together with you, we want to make it possible for your organization/your project/your idea to create real social change in order to initiate sustainable social change in the region.
Heroine workshops and coaching sessions
Our coaches work together with all teams to bring your team even closer together, create a clear vision, sharpen your impact, communicate to specific target groups and create opportunities to fund your organization/project/idea in the long term. The workshops are designed in such a way that you will work directly on your organization/project/idea. In addition, you will also be given tasks that will enable you to continue implementing your offer with your target group between the workshops. Our planned workshop and coaching dates:
- January / February 2026
- March 2026
- May 2026
- July 2026
The exact dates will be announced later.
"Heroes of the Homeland" festival (Saturday, October 17, 2026)
The 1st phase of our programme ends with the celebratory "Heroines of the Homeland" festival, where you present your grown organization/project/idea. Don't worry: we make sure to create a feel-good atmosphere in which you are the center of attention, but don't have to be afraid of the big stage.
With the presentation of your offer, your development steps and your future plans, you can convince a jury and qualify as one of three teams for phase 2 of "Helden der Heimat".
Phase 2: Working and growing (October 2026 - November 2027)
Did you impress the jury at the "Heroes of the Homeland" festival? Then you are part of the one-year support program. During this phase, you will be supported by coaches who will help you and your organization to implement your offer and increase 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.