Apply

You would like to apply for funding? You will find all relevant information and documents on this page. Thank you for your work, we look forward to hearing from you!

At this time, we regret that we are unable to process any new funding applications. Please email us if you would like to be notified when grant applications are possible again.

Applications must be submitted in one PDF document to hello@safe-passage.org

We intend to fund projects that aim at radical political change through recognizing, critically naming, and weakening EU migration, isolationist policies and their consequences. Furthermore, projects should align with (some of) the following funding criteria:

  1. Have little chance of obtaining other funding opportunities
  2. Diversify the allocation of funds regarding the regions and fields of work of funded projects.
  3. Ensuring the sustainable continuation of the project after the allocation of funds
  4. Have an impact beyond the individual case, regarding human rights in the context of migration
  5. Deal with the criminalization of migration and solidarity efforts
  6. Support people who will flee, are fleeing or have fled to the EU
  7. Defend the right of freedom of movement and safe passage
  8. Priority is given to funding small initiatives, organizations, networks, and grassroots projects.

Note: Funds can only be awarded to organizations recognised as non-profit. However, these organizations can in turn support individuals in accordance with their statutory purposes.

  1. The application form
  2. An informal letter in which the following questions are answered:
    • What exactly would the requested amount be used for? A detailed cost statement is useful, especially for when requesting larger sums.
    • What are the objectives of the project? What should change as a result of the project or the funds applied for?
    • What is the relevance of the project with regard to the eligibility criteria of the Foundation?
    • Why is money from the Foundation needed? What other financing options have been tried (and with what result)?
  3. Cost calculation in the form of a table
  4. The signed declaration of commitment
  5. If necessary the declaration of commitment for operational SAR NGOs
  6. The statutes of the organization
  7. Gemeinnützigkeitsbescheid (Notification of non-profit status)

Please submit all application documents in English. Regarding the association documents please provide scans in the original version and translated into English or German if necessary. According to German national law for non-profit organizations, we are obliged to request additional documents from foreign organizations.

  1. The application form
  2. An informal letter in which the following questions are answered:
    • What exactly would the requested amount be used for? A detailed cost statement is useful, especially for when requesting larger sums.
    • What are the objectives of the project? What should change as a result of the project or the funds applied for?
    • What is the relevance of the project with regard to the eligibility criteria of the Stiftungsfonds?
    • Why is money from the Stiftungsfonds needed? What other financing options have been tried (and with what result)?
  3. Cost calculation in the form of a table
  4. The signed declaration of commitment
  5. If necessary declaration of commitment for operational SAR NGOs
  6. The statutes of the association
  7. The entry in the register of associations or the commercial register
  8. Official certificate of the tax-exempt or non-profit status of the organization
  9. Last available tax assessment of the tax office
  10. List of names of persons authorised to represent the association, e.g. managing director or board of directors
  11. The activity report for the previous financial year
  12. Financial report (usually in the form of a balance sheet and profit and loss account) for the last financial year
  13. Business plan for the current year
  14. Justification on the part of the organization as to why you are submitting a grant application to a German foundation. This is a legal requirement of the German state. Please send us an informal letter explaining why you are applying to a German foundation and how funding your project will contribute to the reputation of the German state abroad.

Note: If grant applications are submitted in partnership with a German non-profit organization, the additional documentation requirements do not apply.

Organizations registered outside the European Union may only submit funding applications in cooperation with German or associations registered in the European Union.

If funds are requested from the Safe Passage Foundation, the applying organization must commit itself to the following principles in a declaration of general commitment:

  1. At the end of the funding period, suitable evidence of the appropriate use of the funds must be provided without any further requests.
  2. If the project is discontinued, all unspent funds received by the Foundation must be repaid promptly.
  3. In the event of a breach of the above conditions, the entire amount of funding can be reclaimed.

Please download the general declaration of commitment here.

If funds are requested for operational sea rescue organizations, the organization must commit to the following principles:

  1. A POS (Port of Safety) can only be located in the European Union. Rescued persons will not be returned to the country from which the rescued boat has departed. There will be no disembarkation to North Africa or Turkey, nor will there be any communication with the relevant authorities.
  2. No interviews are conducted on board as part of / as preparation for an asylum procedure. The involvement of other NGOs or intergovernmental organizations for this purpose is excluded.
  3. Appropriate evidence of the adequate use of the funds must be provided without request at the end of the eligibility period.
  4. In the event of a violation of the conditions under 1, 2 or 3, the subsidy amount can be reclaimed.

Please download the declaration of commitment for operational sea rescue organizations here.