City of Chemnitz launches funding programme "EUJA! Initiative projects for the Capital of Culture year" programme

Together with its partners, the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH, Sparkasse Chemnitz and Grundstücks- und Gebäudewirtschafts-Gesellschaft mbH, the City of Chemnitz today unveiled a funding programme for civic engagement with which individuals, groups and associations can implement their events and projects in the Capital of Culture year 2025.

Under the title "EUJA! Initiative Projects for the European Capital of Culture Year", the programme supports projects in the 30 intervention areas, the European Capital of Culture's urban development project, as well as initiatives throughout the city and in the digital space.

The programme is based on three pillars. The special fund "Places of Awakening", financed by the City of Chemnitz, and the special programme "Microprojects Intervention Areas "Public Spaces"", financed by the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH, are available for projects in the intervention areas. The special programme "Civic Engagement", financed by Sparkasse Chemnitz, is aimed at projects throughout the city in the fields of art and culture, education, social affairs and sport in Chemnitz. (see overview)

The application period begins on 1 May 2024 and ends on 31 May 2025. The deadlines for the three programme pillars differ. A total of up to 430,000 euros in financial support can be distributed under the "EUJA!" citizens' programme. The requirements for applicants are low-threshold and the application for individual initiatives is easy to realise.

Double funding of projects that are already listed in the bid book is excluded. Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously participated in the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 programme or received funding.

Submit applications online

Anyone wishing to become part of the EUJA! citizens' programme can apply via the City of Chemnitz website at www.chemnitz.de/euja. In addition to personal data, a short description of the project is requested in an online form. From 2 May 2024, an advice hotline will also be available on 0371/533 25 25 to provide information on the details of the application and the three programme pillars. Grundstücks- und Gebäudewirtschafts-Gesellschaft mbH (GGG) is supporting the citizens' programme with two employees.

Lord Mayor Sven Schulze: "The 'EUJA!' citizens' programme for the European Capital of Culture 2025 gives other citizens the opportunity to get involved well into the Capital of Culture year. I am excited to see what ideas and projects will emerge and look forward to experiencing this diversity. The citizens' programme will play a decisive role in promoting commitment and creativity in Chemnitz's urban society."

Andrea Pier, Co-Managing Director of Kulturhauptstadt Europas Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH: "Kulturhauptstadt gGmbH has been funding micro-projects since 2021. A record number of 150 project ideas were submitted in the tender round that has just ended. This is proof that the people of Chemnitz are very interested in actively shaping their city and living environment. I am therefore delighted that, in addition to the micro-project funding already planned for 2024 and 2025, we can now invite people to use the intervention areas with their own ideas. I am convinced that with this low-threshold participation format, we can encourage even more people to get involved in the programme for our Capital of Culture year and fill the new locations for Chemnitz 2025 with life."

Dr Michael Kreuzkamp, CEO of Sparkasse Chemnitz: "Chemnitz and the region will be the cultural centre of Europe in a few months' time. We have a unique opportunity to show Germany and the world what we have to offer. For this to succeed, we need many contributors. That is why we are supporting small and large initiatives that will make the Capital of Culture programme even more diverse and colourful."

Simone Kalew, Managing Director of GGG: "As a contribution to the Capital of Culture 2025, the housing company GGG is supporting the citizens' programme with two dedicated employees. This is particularly important in view of the fact that the measures of the citizens' programme contribute to the upgrading of the city's residential districts and thus to improving the quality of life in the neighbourhoods."

Overview of the three programme pillars:

Special fund "Places of new beginnings"

The application period for the special fund "Places of New Beginnings" begins on 1 May 2024. The deadline for applications for projects over 3,500 euros is 30 June 2024, for projects up to a maximum of 3,500 euros 1 September 2024. The City of Chemnitz's cultural funding supports the fund with up to 180,000 euros. It is available for projects in the intervention areas Garagencampus, Stadtwirtschaft, Stadt am Fluss and Karl-Schmidt-Rottluff-Ensemble. The Culture Committee will decide on the allocation of funds, taking into account the recommendation of the Cultural Advisory Board.

Special programme Microprojects Intervention Areas "Public Spaces"

The application for the special programme "Microprojects Intervention Areas "Public Squares"" is a two-stage process. The phase for projects that will be implemented in the first half of 2025 begins on 1 July and ends on 30 September 2024. The phase for projects that will take place in the second half of 2025 begins on 1 January and ends on 31 March 2025. The European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH is funding the programme with up to 50,000 euros. Funding is available for projects in the "Public Spaces", which comprise 16 intervention areas throughout the city. Individual funding amounts to up to 3,000 euros. A jury of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH decides on the awarding of funding.

Special programme "Civic Engagement"

The application period for the special programme "Civic Engagement" begins on 1 June 2024 and ends on 31 May 2025. Sparkasse Chemnitz is providing up to 200,000 euros for this purpose. Funding of up to 20,000 euros is available for projects and initiatives outside of cultural promotion and micro-projects. An advisory committee of Sparkasse Chemnitz decides who will benefit from the funding.