FAQ

Kinder­mis­sion­swerk supports projects in various fields such as education, nutrition, health, social integra­tion and pastoral care for children. More informa­tion and examples of possible project forms are listed here. The focus and priority areas of support differ depend­ing on the country and region. These are regularly reviewed by Kinder­mis­sion­swerk and adapted to current challenges so that needs-​oriented funding is possible for each country and region. It is of importance that the project or applica­tion be oriented towards the actual needs on the ground.

The applica­tion guidelines are available for download here. Please note that applica­tion guidelines may differ in content depend­ing on the type of project envisioned (multi-​annual programme, building project, communi­ca­tion project, etc.).

In addition to the descrip­tive (narrative) applica­tion and the correspond­ing detailed and coherent cost and financ­ing plan, there are, depend­ing on the type of project, a number of other documents that are required in the course of the applica­tion review and for the signing of a project contract. You can find a list of these documentshere.

A project is a bundle of measures oriented towards goals and effects based on the needs and require­ments of the local popula­tion (i.e. families and children, the target groups of Kinder­mis­sion­swerk). The project partner therefore always works directly with the local popula­tion and first determines the problems, difficul­ties and needs on the ground within the framework of an analysis of the problem and its related environ­ment. Together, they develop a concept for solving the problem. Therefore, each applica­tion should contain a descrip­tion of the background and situation, an analysis of the problem and its related environ­ment as well as a target group analysis.

A project applica­tion always includes a narrative part, in which the project logic is presented, and a cost and financ­ing plan. Both must follow the guidelines and formats provided by Kinder­mis­sion­swerk. You can download the guidelines here.

Since any project plan will be based on the actual needs and situation on the ground, the number of goals and measures will differ accord­ing to the project and situation. The follow­ing rule should be kept in mind: As the complex­ity of a project increases, it may become more difficult to implement in terms of staff and resources, more cumber­some and more prone to risk. Concen­trat­ing on a few well-​defined goals is usually more promis­ing. Measures and activi­ties should be well coordi­nated.

A shorter project outline (concept note) may be submit­ted in advance so that Kinder­mis­sion­swerk can check the basic eligibil­ity of the applica­tion. If the project outline meets our interest, the applicants prepare a detailed project applica­tion in accordance with the guidelines and submit it by the deadline. The project outline includes a descrip­tion of the target group as well as the logical framework of the project with its overall impact, outcome, planned measures and activi­ties. A sample proposal is available for download here.

For each applica­tion, a written project-​ and agency-​related statement by the relevant Ordinary or the Bishop or Archbishop of the local diocese is required, as well as, in the case of projects sponsored by congre­ga­tions, an additional statement by the higher superior of the order.

A proactive letter of recommen­da­tion (not just a stamp) is required in which the Bishop confirms the relevance of the project for the local target group and the project location, and also confirms that the execut­ing agency and the applicant are trustwor­thy, that the church person­nel involved in the implemen­ta­tion have the necessary experi­ence, that the project is in line with the strate­gic and develop­ment plan of the diocese and that it is likely to make a signif­i­cant contri­bu­tion to local poverty reduction.

Project applica­tions to Kinder­mis­sion­swerk must always be submit­ted in the form of a signed original applica­tion on paper. In addition, it is desirable that the documents relevant to the applica­tion are also sent by e-​mail, as various checks and coordi­na­tion processes at Kinder­mis­sion­swerk are now carried out on the basis of digital documents. WORD and PDF documents are preferred, as well as EXCEL files for budget, financial overviews and financial reports.

The process­ing of an applica­tion up to a possible approval of the project by the decision-​making bodies usually takes several months. Please refrain from regular enquiries. The respon­si­ble country officer will get back to you as soon as possible. Please also check your spam folder regularly.

The project budget or the funding requested from Kinder­mis­sion­swerk must be within an appropri­ate framework correspond­ing to the content of the applica­tion. Programmes that span several years, are complex or have a broad impact are often more costly than simpler projects. Building projects in remote regions can also be relative expensive. In the case of expensive projects, co-​financ­ing may be an option or implemen­ta­tion in several phases may have to be envisaged.

Person­nel costs must be propor­tion­ate, and adminis­tra­tive and acquisi­tion costs must be within local limits. Adminis­tra­tive costs should be kept as low as possible. As a matter of princi­ple, Kinder­mis­sion­swerk does not promote the establish­ment and mainte­nance of institu­tions or organi­sa­tions. An applicant moving higher funding amounts must have an efficient local financial manage­ment and be audited by indepen­dent auditors. The execut­ing agency must prove this perfor­mance by submit­ting its most recent annual financial statements and annual reports.

Project support is awarded on the basis of the princi­ple of subsidiar­ity and the aim of helping people to help themselves. The funding provided by Kinder­mis­sion­swerk must not replace the partner's own efforts. Financial contri­bu­tions from the project partner as well as efforts of the local popula­tion prove the importance of a project for the local people and their identi­fi­ca­tion, alongside the project partner, with the project and its measures. The project should strengthen these local initia­tives and at the same time enable the project partner to take on more and more respon­si­bil­ity. Experi­ence shows that most project partners can contribute 10% or more to a project.

The target group of Kinder­mis­sion­swerk are children and young people up to a maximum age of 18. In exceptional cases, young people over 18 are also supported – especially those with physical or mental impair­ments – provided they belong to correspond­ing youth-​related projects or programmes that Kinder­mis­sion­swerk supports. The promotion of children and young people often requires that parents, educators or social workers who carry out advocacy work or services for the benefit of children and young people are also supported as part of the children's environ­ment and within the framework of projects.

The applica­tion goes through several phases at Kinder­mis­sion­swerk as part of the prelim­i­nary and main review. For specific projects (health, construc­tion, child protec­tion), other experts are involved in the review. If necessary, a separate financial review is also carried out. Finally, the Grant Alloca­tion Commis­sion, consist­ing of represen­ta­tives of Kinder­mis­sion­swerk and other relief organi­sa­tions and dioceses in Germany, decides on each individ­ual project submit­ted. The Grant Alloca­tion Commis­sion meets four times a year.

The average approval period is six months. Due to the quarterly deadlines linked to the Grant Alloca­tion Commis­sion, the approval periods may be longer. For complex projects, the review process will naturally be more extensive than for smaller projects. If too many applica­tions reach Kinder­mis­sion­swerk at once, it may be necessary to postpone applica­tions to later Grant Alloca­tion dates.

As soon as the contract has been signed by both parties, the disburse­ment of the first agreed instal­ment of funds can take place. All further instal­ments will be provided succes­sively and accord­ing to need after review­ing the narrative and financial reports and on the basis of the agreed budget and funding framework.

An applica­tion that has already been rejected cannot be submit­ted a second time.

In case of funding, the project partner commits to account for the use of all funds used in the project and to report regularly on the progress of the project. The guidelines and formats for the narrative and financial reports are available for download here.

As a rule, Kinder­mis­sion­swerk expects half-​yearly report­ing. Even if the six-​month interim report may be kept somewhat smaller, it should neverthe­less inform in a meaning­ful way on the progress of the project. The annual report should be as detailed as possible and, if necessary, include meaning­ful photos of what is happen­ing in the project on the ground. However, photos do not simply replace the descrip­tive part. The two should comple­ment each other. For construc­tion projects, regular documen­ta­tion of the construc­tion progress is required. The photos should be of a more techni­cal nature and illustrate the implemen­ta­tion accord­ing to plan. As a general rule, signif­i­cant deviations from the project plan should always be clarified and agreed on with Kinder­mis­sion­swerk before being carried out.

The final report generally counts as the last periodic report. However, the narrative report should be supple­mented by an assess­ment of the overall project process and success. It should provide informa­tion on whether and which expected or unexpected problems occurred and how they were solved. It should report which parts of the project went partic­u­larly well, which modifi­ca­tions had to be made and which insights (lessons learnt) the project partner gained from the project. Recommen­da­tions that the project partner might pass on to other partners and modifi­ca­tions for a possible follow-​up project should also be noted in the final report. 

The Kinder­mis­sion­swerk logo is available for download here. Project partners may use it for campaigns, inaugu­ra­tion ceremonies, banners and other presen­ta­tions of their work in conjunc­tion with Kinder­mis­sion­swerk. 

No, there must always be a legal entity behind the applicant for a project, for example a diocese, a religious order or an NGO.

No, Kinder­mis­sion­swerk does not offer child sponsor­ships or other forms of individ­ual assistance. The projects supported by Kinder­mis­sion­swerk are aimed at communi­ties and organi­sa­tions that are to be structurally strength­ened in their work for children and young people.