FAQ - Questions and answers on the topic of "cultural funding

You’ll need to submit an application for all funding schemes. It often sounds more bureaucratic than it actually is, and the Cultural Office is there to help you with this. For many applicants, this process helps them to focus and clarify the project’s objectives. This is also useful, for example, for public relations work later on. So: the effort is by no means wasted!
In addition, you’ll need to report on your project regularly throughout its duration and as it nears completion. Of course, at the end of the project, you’ll also need to provide evidence that you’ve used the funds for the purposes set out in the application. But you’d have to do that even if you had sponsors.

That depends very much on the funding programme. Many programmes provide funding at a so-called ‘funding rate’ of up to 50 per cent. This means that if you estimate the total costs (100 per cent) of your project at 10,000 euros in your application, the funding programme can award you a grant of up to 5,000 euros (50 per cent). You will then need to cover the remainder yourself, for example through sponsorship, donations, ticket sales, etc. (This is known as the ‘own contribution’.)

A 50 per cent grant goes a long way towards helping your project – yet you may still be wondering where to find the other 50 per cent. This is where ‘co-funding’ comes into play. It can consist of, amongst other things, sponsorship, crowdfunding, ticket sales or further grants. With most funding programmes, you’ll also need to contribute a share of the costs yourself. With the RKP, for example, this amounts to ten per cent of the total costs, which must be raised either in cash or in the form of community involvement. Donations can also count towards your own contribution. Check with the relevant funding programme to find out the exact amount and composition of the own contribution required.

This also depends on the respective funding programme. In most cases, there is an advisory board or jury that decides on the applications submitted. The applications are prepared beforehand and submitted to the jury for review. Between the application deadline and the jury meeting often a few weeks, sometimes even months, pass. In the case of a positive response, it can also take a few more weeks before you can claim the funding. It is best to ask the contact persons about their experience in the respective funding programme.

A rejection can have various reasons, which cannot always be given to you. Often the reason is that the topic or focus of your project does not match the funding criteria of the programme. Do not be discouraged. There are various funding sources from which support is possible. Check these possibilities and, if necessary, submit another application. It is important not to try to "adapt" your project to a funding programme, but to find the right programme for your project. Stay true to yourself and your idea!

Yes - and no. That also depends on the respective funding programme. Funding programmes are often mutually exclusive if they are directed at the same funding body. However, if your applications are directed at different funding levels, for example the municipality, the state of NRW and the federal government, this should not really be a problem. The Kulturbüro can help you find the right funding source.

That depends on which funding programme you want to use. However, it is in the nature of things that the project should not yet be in the implementation phase. This is because it takes some time to process and approve the application. You also have to take into account the application deadlines, which for many programmes are only once a year. It therefore makes sense to include the idea of applying for funding in your considerations as early as possible - and to seek advice in good time.

That depends very much on the funding programme. The NRW Regional Culture Programme, for example, views it favourably if you can secure as many suitable partners as possible for a project. After all, working together as a team often leads to far more creative ideas than working alone in isolation. Make sure you’re well informed about the funding criteria for the relevant programme and try to assess your project’s chances as objectively as possible. But be careful: you shouldn’t completely change your project or idea just to meet the criteria. After all, you might end up losing sight of your original idea.