The Federal Government provides embassies and consulates with small budgets for supporting small-scale projects in the field of technical co-operation. Information on how to apply is compiled on this webpage and can be downloaded here.

Background	Project Duration
Types of Grant	Deadline
Grant Size	Application Forms
Own Contribution	Application & Procedures
Funding Priorities	Languages
Grantmaking Criteria	Tips
Guidelines	Pdf Download

The Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt, AA) is responsible for all external and international relations of the German government. The AA covers explicitly the external policy of the government with regard to the European Union (EU), United Nations and United Nations aid programmes (UNICEF, UNHCR, etc.), and is responsible for the international representation of the government through embassies, consulates and permanent missions. The Federal Government provides embassies and consulates with small budgets for supporting small-scale projects in the field of technical co-operation. In 2003, the German government supported more than 1,500 micro-projects with a total of Euro 6.7 million.

"Kleinstmaßnahmen der technischen Zusammenarbeit durch deutsche Auslandsvertretungen in Entwicklungsländern" (Small-scale projects for technical co-operation given by embassies and consulates in developing countries). This scheme is especially targeted at local organisations and self-help initiatives working at the grassroots level.

As a rule, the grant size does not exceed Euro 8,000. In exceptional cases, the limit may be raised to a maximum of Euro 13,000. However, the total amount disbursed for micro-projects in each partner country is limited to Euro 30,000 per fiscal year.

Own contribution is desired, yet not a prerequisite for funding.

The aim of the micro-project scheme is to improve the basic needs of the poor and most vulnerable population groups in a non-bureaucratic and efficient manner. The German embassies and consulates provide support either directly or indirectly (through the purchase of technical equipment or material). The project’s positive impact on the local population should be clearly demonstrated. Personnel costs or costs for salaries, administration and travel cannot be funded.

• Projects cannot otherwise be realized by the recipient
• Projects are not already part of development aid activities of the German government
• Projects do not create additional costs after being funded once
• Projects should be completed within the same fiscal year in which funding has been provided.

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Most German missions in developing countries are provided with funds to finance small-scale technical co-operation projects for which local NGOs can also apply. These are subject to:

• Guidelines emphasizing rural development (in particular food security), power supply, protection of natural resources, (handi-)craft and small industries, education and training, whereby preference is given to self-help-initiatives and measures aimed at satisfying the basic needs of the people
• Budgetary implementations directed at enhancing the efficiency of people and organisations, especially of the poorer population sector through transfer and mobilization of knowledge and capabilities or improving the basis for their utilization; priority is given to the basic needs of the poorer and poorest population groups. Moreover, measures aimed at the enhancement of democratic structures and human rights may be sponsored and special consideration is given to ecological aspects and those projects serving the improvement of the social position of women
• Specific administrative regulations are contained in the "Richtlinien des BMZ zur Durchführung von Kleinstmaßnahmen der technischen Zusammenarbeit durch deutsche Auslandsvertretungen in Entwicklungsländern" (Guidelines for small-scale projects for technical co-operation in developing countries).,. These constitute the operational framework for the missions. Please consult your local German embassy for more information.

The maximum project duration is one year (January 1^st – December 31^st).

No deadline applies; but it is advisable to contact the embassy, consulate or German representative as early as possible (preferably before the year for which the funding is sought).

The specific application procedures may differ from country to country. Please send a request to the nearest German embassy or representative for information on sponsorship of small-scale projects for technical co-operation ("Kleinstmaßnahmen der technischen Zusammenarbeit durch deutsche Auslandsvertretungen in Entwicklungsländern") (Small-scale projects for technical co-operation given by embassies and consulates in developing countries). See “Contact” for a list of German embassies.

Develop your proposal bearing in mind the above-mentioned guidelines. The embassies, consulates and representatives are responsible for making the grant decision. The German institutions will consider the quality and reputation of the NGO or institution looking for support, evaluate the project, its layout and target group, check whether additional costs might arise after completion of the project, and evaluate the quality and outcomes of the project. A statement of the project outcome will be sent to the Federal Foreign Office in Germany and to the Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ) after completion of the project.

German, English, French or local languages

• Contact the embassies, consulates and representatives early in advance before officially applying for funding. Annual themes, regional preferences and budget limitations may impact the current funding priorities
• Make sure that representatives from the German institutions within your country are aware of activities and plans for your projects in the fields for which support is sought before you ask for funding
• Try to find out what kind of micro-projects the local embassy has funded in the past to avoid applying with a similar project proposal
• Co-operation with a German NGO or institution is not a prerequisite to be eligible for funding, but this may offer additional help to establish the necessary contacts with the German representatives and may assist in avoiding procedural difficulties or other obstacles.

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