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.