Flexible Funding Scheme

The Flexible Funding Scheme supports joint activities and projects between UK and German partner schools and youth groups, including reciprocal visits. It aims to actively connect young people from the UK and Germany to work together in a creative and meaningful way, improve their intercultural understanding and facilitate the development of positive, relevant and sustainable partnerships.

What does the grant support? Joint activities, projects and visits involving creative and meaningful interaction, reflection and discussion between the young people from both countries. The theme of the activities can be flexible but the joint activity must contribute to wider thematic or skills development. A language-learning element is welcomed but not compulsory. Priority will be given to activities, which include reciprocal visits. However, one-way visits and virtual projects are also possible. The majority of the time during the visit(s) (minimum of 3 days not including travel) must be spent on joint activities with a high level of interaction. The outcomes from the activity must be shared and disseminated widely, with the young people engaging as ambassadors for the project.

What funding is available? ● Funding of normally up to £10,000 (and up to 75% of the total costs) is available, depending on the overall costs of the activities. For projects with one-way visits, the maximum grant available is £5,000. ● In exceptional cases, it is possible to apply for a higher amount of funding (and/or a higher percentage than 75% of the total costs), for example, where there are high numbers of young people travelling, special needs requiring additional staff and/or equipment, high deprivation factors, a very remote location of an institution or the development of a partnership in challenging circumstances. In such cases, you will be asked to outline the reasons for bidding for a higher amount in your application. ● Grants are available for both large- and small-scale projects. The total amount of grant provided will be judged on a case-by-case basis, depending on the size, circumstances and numbers involved in the individual activities as outlined in your financial plan. ● The grant can normally cover a maximum of 75% of total cost of the visit. ● The following visit costs can be supported: o travel and transport o accommodation and subsistence o joint activities between the young people, including excursions o costs for your exchange partners to take part in relevant joint activities while you are in Germany o materials and room hire o visa costs directly related to project visits o virtual / digital activities (hardware and software*)

• the grant can be partially used towards software, hardware or hardware rental but cannot cover more than 75% of the cost of any such items. ● Up to 25% of the total grant can be used for organisational support, including, for example: o admin costs directly linked to the implementation of the project, e.g. supply cover, postage o insurance o external facilitators o police checks (DBS, PVG, AccessNI) ● In cases, where only virtual activities (and no visits) are taking place, the maximum grant amount is normally £2,000 (and no more than 75% of the total project cost). ● Please note that institutions already receiving financial support for the same activity from one of UKGerman Connection’s partner organisations, e.g. the British Council, are not eligible for support.

How to apply? ● The Flexible Funding scheme has three deadlines a year: 31 January, 31 May and 31 October. Applications must also be received by UK-German Connection at least six weeks in advance of the first project visit.

Who can apply? ● The Flexible Funding Scheme is open to primary, secondary and SEN schools, FE colleges and youth groups in the UK and Germany. Applications from local clusters of institutions are also welcome. ● We can only accept applications from schools, colleges or youth groups, who are registered and/or belong to an accredited organisation. ● Projects related to town-twinning activities can only be considered for support within the context of a school or youth partnership, and the application must normally be submitted by the travelling school or youth group. If this is not possible, coordinating organisations can submit the application on behalf of the school or youth group and will be asked to provide details of their role in the visit and relationship with the participating schools or youth groups. ● Young people enrolled at a Higher Education institution are not eligible to take part, nor can we accept applications from individual young people.

● Funding is not available for: o unilateral (one-sided) activities without a partner institution o multilateral events (where numerous nationalities and groups come together) o activities with a tourist focus or language courses o performance tours, festivals, camps, or sports tournaments, etc. o activities which aim to make a financial profit ● Applications submitted after the project has taken place cannot be supported.