Centers for Mothers and Fathers; Applying for Funding

Purpose

Mothers’ and fathers’ centers aim to provide a supportive environment that eases the burdens of everyday family life and encourages creativity. This includes open drop-in sessions, open cafés for mothers and fathers with their children, as well as playgroups and toddler groups, and courses for children and parents. They are a great way for families, mothers, or fathers to meet other parents and children and connect with them.

This helps build neighborhood networks that offer support and a sense of security.

The centers are managed and organized by mothers and fathers themselves. The work is mostly done on a volunteer basis, and everyone can contribute their skills.

Funding for mothers’ and fathers’ centers is intended to promote volunteerism at the local level and contribute to maintaining and creating positive living conditions for families and a child- and family-friendly environment. It is also intended to encourage the development of neighborhood networks and self-help initiatives.

Scope of Funding

The Free State of Bavaria provides long-term funding for the operation of mothers’ and fathers’ centers. In doing so, the principles of self-organization and family self-help must be upheld.

Grant Recipients

Eligible applicants are associations with legal personality and non-profit status that operate a mothers’ and fathers’ center.

Type and Amount

Funding is provided as a lump-sum grant within the framework of project funding. The grant is based on the number of volunteer hours contributed. Up to 600 hours per year are eligible for funding per volunteer. The lump sum ranges from 3,850 to 14,720 euros.

Mothers' and fathers' centers may receive funding upon application if they meet the following requirements:

• operated under the significant influence of volunteer mothers and/or fathers
• Open to all interested mothers and fathers
• Open at least three days a week for a total of at least 15 hours, with at least 10 of those hours dedicated to an open drop-in session that can be attended without prior registration and without any financial obligations
• Suitable, publicly accessible facilities for adults and children
• Collaboration with other mothers’ and fathers’ centers and other institutions providing parent and family education and/or youth services
• Confirmed by the responsible youth welfare office as necessary and appropriate within the framework of youth welfare planning
• Financial participation by the locally responsible municipal authority is mandatory

The application must be submitted to the relevant youth welfare office no later than October 31 of the previous year; the office will then forward the application, along with its recommendation, to the Bavarian Center for Family and Social Affairs by December 31 of the previous year.

The application must be submitted to the appropriate youth welfare office no later than October 31 of the previous year.