Heroes of the homeland 2025
The popular competition format "Heroes of the Homeland" is back and entering its fourth round!
Social impact for the Upper Franconia region
"Heroes of the Homeland" enters its fourth round
The Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung is entering the fourth round of its "Heroes of the Homeland" program, a specially initiated competition concept to activate regional commitment to Upper Franconia. The Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Bayreuth is once again on board as a proven cooperation partner.
The "Helden der Heimat" competition, which is now well-known and popular throughout Upper Franconia, is starting a new round and the declared hero mission is: "We want to create an impact for the Upper Franconia region with you!" The Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung is therefore looking for social actors who (want to) solve social challenges related to the Upper Franconia region. "Together with our coaches, their commitment should then be effectively established and expanded," explains Yola Klingel, Managing Director of the Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung.
Organizations can now apply for a place in the "Heroes of the Homeland" programme. Ten teams can qualify for phase 1 of the program, which will run from January to October 2026. Under the title "Networking and further development", coaches will help during this period to clarify the vision, sharpen the impact or communicate with specific target groups, among other things. The aim is also to explore and create opportunities to provide long-term funding for the selected organizations and their project ideas.
The end of Phase 1 will be heralded by the "Heroes of the Homeland" festival on October 17, 2026. The ten Heroes of the Homeland will present their projects there in order to qualify for phase 2 of the program. Three teams may succeed in convincing the jury and thus receive unconditional hero money of a maximum of 15,000 euros. In addition, they will continue to receive individual support in monthly coaching sessions for a year under the motto "Work and grow".
Added value through program participation
More visibility, stronger team cohesion and new perspectives and contacts - that is the added value of the program in phase 1. Phase 2 is also about sustainable growth, more freedom through financial support and more security through coaching. "We are delighted to support social initiatives in discovering new ways of communicating, financing and making an impact. Our workshops are practical, geared towards the real challenges faced by the teams - and based on our scientific experience," says David Schroff-Spiering, coach in the Helden der Heimat project and doctoral student at the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Bayreuth.
His colleague Prof. Dr. Eva Jakob - Junior Professor of Social Entrepreneurship, is also already in the starting blocks: "It's starting again - a great opportunity for social initiatives in Upper Franconia to grow and have a greater impact. For me, Helden der Heimat is a special opportunity to network with other committed people, to get new ideas - and, with a bit of luck, even to receive €15,000 in funding."
The way into the program
Applications can be submitted to the Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung from now until September 30, 2025. Please complete and sign the application form and send it to helden@raps-stiftung.de. Further information and all application documents can be found at www.heldenderheimat.de or at www.raps-stiftung.de.
