Guidelines for project funding

The following guidelines serve as the basis on which the Schmitz Foundations can make an assessment of the chances that funding may be provided:

Planned projects should be aimed at a specific target group, address their true needs, and be carried out with the active co-operation of the local population.

• Planned projects should be clearly defined and be of limited duration. (4 years is the maximum running time.) Care must be taken that the projects do not result in additional burdens or lasting dependency on the part of the beneficiaries.

• It is expected that, as far as their circumstances allow, the local target group will become actively involved in essential project activities. Ideally, local input and responsibility on the part of the target group will gradually increase over the running time of the project.

• Project structure should be on the basis of “help for self-help”. Any funding granted should be regarded as start-up capital, producing a certain initial momentum to strengthen and support the local target group in their own efforts.

• The projects should produce sustainable and lasting effects and so be designed that they can be continued by the target group after funding ceases.