NGO Support Programme (Verbaendefoerderung BMUV)

Enriched Federal (DE) · Found: 2026-03-10 12:35

BMUV programme providing core funding to environmental NGOs. Applications for 2027 projects can be submitted from May 2026. Important for organizational capacity building.

Source: https://www.bmuv.de/themen/naturschutz/biologische-vielfalt/verbaendefoerderung

Funding Details

Funder

Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Klimaschutz, Naturschutz und nukleare Sicherheit (BMUKN / formerly BMUV)

Funding Goal

To strengthen civil society's role in environmental and nature conservation by providing project grants to non-profit organizations for public awareness, environmental education, youth engagement, and innovative conservation initiatives with nationwide relevance in Germany.

Funding Amount

Up to €75,000 per year per project; total annual programme budget is approximately €4.45 million, of which €0.7 million is designated specifically for nature conservation projects. Partial funding model — organizations must contribute own resources (co-financing required). (up to 75.000 €)

Deadline

Applications for 2027 projects expected to open May 2026. Deadline for 2026 projects was July 31, 2025 (closed). (Rolling)

How to Apply

Applications are submitted electronically via the easy-Online funding portal (https://foerderportal.bund.de/easyonline). A mandatory project description attachment (PDF) must accompany the submission. Applications must be signed via one of three methods: TAN procedure in easy-Online, qualified electronic signature via email, or original paper signature by post. Nature conservation projects are submitted to the Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) in Bonn; environmental protection projects go to the Umweltbundesamt (UBA) in Dessau-Roßlau. Applications are evaluated by BfN/UBA, then reviewed by the Federal Ministry. Final funding decisions are made by year-end, with applicants notified at the beginning of the following year. Applications for 2027 projects are expected to open in May 2026.

Target Region

Germany (nationwide)

Contact

Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN), Förderung Koordinierungsstelle, Konstantinstr. 110, 53179 Bonn. Email: foerderung@bfn.de

Last Checked

2026-03-11 19:00

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a non-profit organization, association, or initiative working in environmental or nature conservation
• At least one cooperation partner must be based in Germany

Project Scope

• Projects must demonstrate clear ecological focus with broad public impact and nationwide relevance
• Projects must be innovative and have model character — no routine activities

Required Documents

• Submit electronic application via easy-Online portal plus mandatory project description attachment (PDF)
• Provide signed copy (TAN, electronic signature, or paper) to BfN (nature conservation) or UBA (environment)

Constraints

• States (Länder) and individuals are not eligible
• Maximum funding is €75,000/year; project duration typically limited to 24 months

Summary

The Verbändeförderung (NGO Support Programme) is an annual grant programme operated by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUKN, formerly BMUV) and administered by the Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) for nature conservation projects and the Umweltbundesamt (UBA) for environmental protection projects. The programme distributes approximately €4.45 million annually to non-profit environmental and nature conservation organizations, with individual grants of up to €75,000 per year for projects lasting up to 24 months. The programme recognizes that environmental associations are essential partners in shaping and implementing environmental policy. Funded projects must demonstrate a clear ecological focus with broad public impact and nationwide relevance. Eligible activities include environmental education, children and youth programmes, public awareness campaigns, environmental counseling, networking initiatives, and projects addressing politically current environmental topics. Scientific research and investments are explicitly excluded. Applicants must be non-profit organizations with at least one cooperation partner based in Germany. Applications are submitted electronically via the easy-Online portal with a mandatory project description. The 2026 round has closed (deadline was July 31, 2025), and applications for 2027 projects are expected to open in May 2026. Decisions are made by year-end with notifications at the start of the following year. The programme operates on a partial funding model, requiring organizations to contribute their own resources as co-financing.

Historical Context

This is an annual programme run by the German Federal Environment Ministry. The programme has been operational for many years, with Merkblatt (guidelines) versions dating back to at least 2021 and updated in 2024. The BfN publishes historical data on funding distribution to associations. Additional funding comes from revenue generated through special postage stamp sales (Sonderpostwertzeichen) supporting environmental and conservation projects. The 2026 application round closed July 31, 2025; the 2027 round is expected to open May 2026.

Why it was added

Core funding for environmental NGOs. Applications for 2027 open from May 2026. Relevant for capacity building of marine conservation organizations.

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