Deutsche Postcode Lotterie - Environmental Project Funding

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

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

Project funding for non-profit organisations working in three areas: Chancengleichheit (equal opportunities), Natur- und Umweltschutz (nature and environmental protection), and Sozialer Zusammenhalt (social cohesion). Funds projects in Germany with clear social or ecological value.

Funding Amount

Up to EUR 30,000 for first-time applicants and standard projects; EUR 30,001-100,000 for innovative projects with high value; EUR 100,001-250,000 for particularly innovative model projects with significant impact (1 € – 250.000 €)

Deadline

Periodic — multiple rounds per year; exact dates on the funding portal (periodic)

How to Apply

Online application via the funding portal at https://postcode-lotterie.my.site.com/s/login/ (Salesforce-based portal). A pre-application (Interessensbekundung) is required for first applications (up to EUR 30,000 only). Full applications can be submitted in subsequent rounds.

Target Region

Germany

Contact

Deutsche Postcode Lotterie, website contact form at postcode-lotterie.de

Official Page

https://www.postcode-lotterie.de/guter-zweck/projektfoerderung/

Last Checked

2026-03-15 13:22

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a registered non-profit organisation (gemeinnützig) in Germany
• Ratio of requested amount to own resources must be appropriate

Project Scope

• Project must be in nature/environment, social cohesion, or equal opportunities
• Project must benefit communities in a specific German federal state

Required Documents

• Submit application via the online funding portal (Salesforce)

Constraints

• First-time applicants may only apply for up to EUR 30,000 (Interessensbekundung)
• Only one application per organisation per funding round

Summary

The Deutsche Postcode Lotterie is a charitable lottery that directs at least 30% of all ticket revenue to social and environmental projects across Germany. Since its founding, it has supported approximately 7,500 projects with more than EUR 400 million in total. Thematic priorities cover three areas: (1) Natur- und Umweltschutz — nature and environmental protection including wildlife, biodiversity, and green projects; (2) Chancengleichheit — equal opportunities and access; (3) Sozialer Zusammenhalt — social cohesion and community. Many funded partners include major environmental organisations such as WWF, Greenpeace, and Sea Watch. Eligible activities span a wide range of project types within the three themes: environmental conservation, biodiversity projects, social equality programmes, and community integration initiatives. Geographic scope is Germany only, with funding distributed regionally across all federal states. Projects are expected to benefit communities in the applicant's home region. Eligible applicants are non-profit organisations (gemeinnützige Organisationen) based in Germany. First-time applicants must apply for no more than EUR 30,000. Only one application per organisation per round is accepted. The organisation must have resources proportionate to the requested amount. Grant amounts: up to EUR 30,000 (standard/first-time), up to EUR 100,000 (innovative projects), up to EUR 250,000 (exemplary projects with major public impact). Applications are submitted via an online Salesforce portal. Multiple funding rounds per year with deadlines published on the portal.

Historical Context

Since founding, the lottery has funded approximately 7,500 projects with over EUR 400 million. Minimum 30% of all ticket proceeds go to social and green projects. Partner organisations include WWF, Greenpeace, Sea Watch, CARE, and many others.

Why it was added

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

Sources

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

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