Small project funding

The 'Churches helping Churches' small project fund strengthens churches and church institutions in their theological, social service, and ecumenical work. A focal point, therein, is the support of partner churches with a Reformed and United character.

Applications for funds should outline the measures that are planned, include information on the duration of the project, and the amount of funding being applied for. Applications should include a description of the specific problem(s), the planned activities and the desired results of the project. Project areas eligible for funding may, for example, include:

• Equipment and facilities for the social service or pastoral work of churches
• Seminars, trainings, conferences
• Public relations work and publications

Projects should not last longer than one year.

Retrospective financing of current or completed projects is not possible. A report must be submitted, at the latest three months after project completion, on all projects which have received funding. The report, which can be submitted without use of a particular form, must include details on the running of the project as well as on the finances.

Small projects with a big impact

Small project funding has been used to train church council members of the Reformed Church in Romania for their work in the community. In the Samara region of Russia, a Lutheran church community supported orphans infected with the HIV virus. Furthermore, ministers of the Reformed Church in Slovakia learnt about social service work in Germany and now carry this into their practice in their churches at home.

Small project funding enables our church partners to take many small steps forward and, at the same time, encourages them to an increased social and ecumenical commitment in their own communities.