Deutsche Postcode Lotterie - Environmental Project Funding

Enriched Foundation · Found: 2026-03-10 21:07

For NGOs Foundation Grant Nordic / Denmark Biodiversity Coastal Protection Education Marine Conservation Pollution
Social lottery funding 7,500+ projects totaling EUR 400M+. Marine conservation grants include ghost net removal (EUR 100K Baltic Sea Campaign), PFAS seagrass research, WWF Wadden Sea. Min 30% revenue to causes.

Source: https://www.postcode-lotterie.de/projekte

Funding Details

Funder
Deutsche Postcode Lotterie
Funding Goal
Grants to German non-profit organizations for projects in social cohesion, equal opportunities, and nature/environment protection. Projects must serve people and nature in Germany. Funds wirkungsvolle (impactful) projects at local and national level covering ecological and social themes including nature protection, environmental conservation, animal welfare, and social inclusion.
Funding Amount
Up to EUR 30,000 for impactful projects; EUR 30,001-100,000 for innovative projects with ecological or social added value; EUR 100,001-250,000 for highly innovative flagship projects with significant public attention and ecological/social added value. First-time applicants must apply for maximum EUR 30,000. (1 € – 250.000 €)
Deadline
Periodic, multiple rounds per year (periodic)
How to Apply
Applications submitted through the online funding portal at postcode-lotterie.my.site.com. First-time applicants submit an expression of interest (Interessensbekundung) for a maximum of EUR 30,000. Full application process described on the Projektförderung page. Budget availability per federal state can be exhausted before the deadline - check portal for updates. A committee (Beirat) reviews and approves all funding applications.
Target Region
Germany (projects must be implemented within Germany)
Contact
Phone: 0800-800 66 80 (free, Mon-Fri 8:00-20:00, Sat 9:00-17:00). Online portal: postcode-lotterie.my.site.com
Official Page
https://www.postcode-lotterie.de/guter-zweck/projektfoerderung/
Last Checked
2026-05-07 06:05

Application Checklist

Eligibility
Project Scope
Required Documents
Constraints

Summary

Deutsche Postcode Lotterie is Germany's social and environmental lottery, distributing at least 30% of ticket revenues to charitable causes. It has funded 7,500+ projects totaling over EUR 400 million since inception, and operates an open grants program for German non-profit organizations. Thematically, funding is distributed across three pillars: Sozialer Zusammenhalt (social cohesion), Chancengleichheit (equal opportunities), and Natur- und Umweltschutz (nature and environmental protection). For the environmental pillar, the lottery has funded marine conservation projects including Baltic Sea ghost net removal campaigns, WWF Wadden Sea conservation, PFAS seagrass research, Greenpeace, and bird/wildlife protection. The focus is on visible, impactful projects with public interest. Eligible activities include field conservation projects, environmental education with on-the-ground outcomes, wildlife protection programs, habitat restoration, pollution monitoring/cleanup (e.g., marine litter), and social programs addressing equity. Projects must be implemented in Germany. Geographically, all projects must be located within Germany. There is no international component to this funding program. Projects must benefit people and/or nature in Germany. Eligible applicants are registered German non-profit organizations (gemeinnützige Vereine, gGmbH, gUG, foundations, etc.). First-time applicants must apply for a maximum of EUR 30,000. Larger grants require demonstrated organizational capacity or prior project track record. Grant tiers: (1) Up to EUR 30,000 for impactful social/environmental projects; (2) EUR 30,001-100,000 for innovative projects with significant added value; (3) EUR 100,001-250,000 for flagship projects with high public visibility and innovation. Budget per federal state is limited and applications may close before the formal deadline once the budget is exhausted.

Historical Context

Deutsche Postcode Lotterie has funded over 7,500 projects with more than EUR 400 million since its founding. At least 30% of all lottery ticket revenues go to charitable causes. Past environmental grants include EUR 100,000 for a Baltic Sea ghost net removal campaign, PFAS/seagrass research, WWF Wadden Sea projects, Greenpeace, and various wildlife conservation initiatives. The lottery is TUV-certified and regulated by German gambling authorities.

Why it was added

DE round 6 - Major German lottery directly funding marine conservation NGOs

Sources

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