What's it about?
The Bridge Fund helps civil society projects in Germany when public funding has been approved but the payment will be made later. You can apply for an interest-free loan as a one-time payment: €20,000–80,000 per organization. The loan term is a maximum of 6 months from the date the contract is signed; you specify the period in your application. As soon as the public funds are received, you repay the loan. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis; currently, the fund has been fully utilized.
| Timeframe | Ongoing (no application deadline) |
| Grant Amount | 20,000–80,000 € (interest-free loan, lump-sum payment) |
| Area | Democracy and Participation |
Documents to be submitted (excerpt): Exemption notice, registration/incorporation documents, articles of association, funding approval, project proposal including a financial plan, and current financial statements.
What is covered?
- Temporary financial assistance when promised public funding (from the federal government or the states) is paid out later.
- Funding is provided in the form of an interest-free loan as a one-time payment (€20,000–80,000).
- Term: maximum of 6 months from the date the contract is signed (the period is specified in the application).
Who can submit an application?
- Organizations or civil society projects in Germany that have received a formal notification of funding for the 2026 funding year (e.g., a grant award letter, confirmation of early project start, or an approval email).
- That cannot bridge the gap until payment is made without support.
- Not eligible: Bridging funding after project completion.
- Not eligible: Projects without a public funding commitment.