The German foundation Schüler Helfen Leben (SHL) invites non-profit organizations from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia to apply for project funding. The general funding purpose is to strengthen the social development of children and young people in the target countries with a particular emphasis on supporting democratic educational work and social integration. The ultimate aim is to strengthen civil societies, in which young people can take on responsibility and participate.

What we would like to support

We are looking for problem sensitive, strategic oriented, sustainable and - last but not least - innovative projects, that are capable of creating a difference in the following focus areas: migration, inclusion, regional cooperation and volunteerism (for details see the Call for Proposals 2013 below).

Whom we would like to support

SHL invites organizations to hand in proposals suggesting projects that can be carried out and completed within 24 months, starting not later than September 1, 2013. Eligible projects have reasonable budgets ranging from 125.000 EUR to 175.000 EUR.

Eligible organizations are characterized by a high degree of professional working experience in the youth sector in general or in one of the focus areas mentioned above. Throughout the application process this has to be proven by relevant project references and other supporting documents showing the professional capacities of the applicant (i.e. financial statements, strategies, articles of the association, external evaluations). Further essential requirements for funding include the organizations strong links to local partners, stakeholders, networks and beneficiaries relevant to a successful implementation of the project.

How we select projects

The project selection process is highly competitive and includes in total three stages. Based on a short project proposal, a first evaluation of proposals will be carried out by an expert commission. Organizations with the best proposals will be invited to hand in a detailed project proposal, which then again will be evaluated by an expert commission. For each focus area (see above), the best projects will selected and presented to school students, who provide us with funds through the Social Day (www.sozialertag.de). Based on the information that were provided by the applicants, the final funding decision will be made by an online vote and by a project selection conference.

The first deadline for short project proposals is November 5, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.

Applications must be written in German or English and can only be submitted online through the application form which is available at www.callforproposals.de.

Further important dates and deadlines:

November 23, 2012 Evaluation of short project proposals

November 24, 2012 Short-listed applicants will be invited to hand in a detailed project proposal

December 17, 2012 Deadline for detailed project proposals for short-listed applicants

January 18, 2013 Evaluation of detailed project proposals

May 17- 19, 2013 Project Selection Conference

Please refer to the Call for Proposals 2013 for more detailed information.