Microfund Bayreuth
The expansion of the Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung's microfund in Bayreuth will from now on support social commitment in the city and district even more comprehensively.
First in Kulmbach, Bayreuth and Bamberg, and recently also in Kronach and Coburg: the micro funds of Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung support social commitment at the smallest level. They allow both organisations and private individuals who are committed to strengthening social participation - whether in the public, non-profit sector or in neighbourhood assistance - to quickly and unbureaucratically access funding for very small amounts of up to 125 euros. The expansion of microfunding is not only to be understood in local terms, but also in terms of content. Since the beginning of April 2021, support for the expanded microfund is no longer limited to the topic of refugee aid in Bayreuth, but can be applied for in order to promote civic engagement in general. Informal applications for support are accepted by the new fund administrators Thea Marie Koch, facility manager of the Bayreuth Volunteer Centre, and, as a representative from the end of July 2021, staff member Krystian Burucker.
Financial support for micro-projects: Micro funds make it possible
The concept of the micro funds of Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung, which focuses on an unbureaucratic call for funding and the associated rapid financial support of voluntary work, is very simple: The funds are each filled with 5,000 euros and are made available to the city and/or district for the promotion of small projects in the sense of supporting social commitment to strengthen social participation. Both organisations and private individuals are thus able to apply for earmarked funds of up to 125 euros per project application within the framework of the funding guidelines. All that is required is to fill out a short application and submit all receipts for expenses incurred in the project to the respective fund administrator for the final drawdown of the project funds.
Expansion of microfund content also in Bayreuth
Over the past three years, the microfund concept has become established in the cities of Kulmbach, Bayreuth and Bamberg, and since the middle of last year, volunteers in Coburg and Kronach have also benefited from it. In the process, the concept was not only expanded locally, but also in terms of content due to the changing framework conditions. "Unlike before, the microfund in Kronach and Coburg was not limited to the area of refugee assistance from the beginning, but can be applied for as part of the general promotion of civic engagement. Civic engagement is aimed at target groups who have a greater need for support or who are denied access to relevant resources for social and societal participation. These include, for example, children, senior citizens, sick people or people with disabilities," explains foundation officer Tina Beeg. "After the expansion in Kulmbach in August last year and in Bamberg at the beginning of this year, funding for general support of civic engagement can now also be applied for via the micro fund in Bayreuth. Since the financial resources of the previous micro fund on the topic of refugee aid have not yet been exhausted, however, applications are still being accepted here as well."
New perspectives for voluntary work in Bayreuth
In addition to the volunteers and the needy themselves, the new fund administrator Thea Marie Koch, facility manager of the Bayreuth Volunteer Centre, welcomes this development: "Civic engagement is colourful and diverse, just like the volunteers themselves. There are a wide variety of projects in the city and district of Bayreuth with different goals. It has become apparent that most areas of engagement need support in implementing the many ideas and approaches. With the expansion of the micro fund specifically for engagement to strengthen social and societal participation, a large area can now receive new support." The projects that are eligible for support through the micro fund of Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung can be of various kinds: for example, the purchase of learning materials in the context of digital tutoring for children would be eligible for support, as would the costs for a speaker on the occasion of a training course for association members. "Civic engagement is the glue that holds society together and creates togetherness out of coexistence. It offers the chance to actively shape society and creates access to education, culture, mobility or social participation," says Koch. As Ms Koch will be on maternity leave from the end of July 2021, employee Krystian Burucker will take over the fund administration on a proxy basis and accept the incoming applications.
