Durchstarten

Durchstarten is primarily aims at projects by:

• young people without funding experience
• People with disabilities
• People with migration background and refugees
• People without formal training
  
   They submit the application and manage the project.

“Durchstarten” provides access to funding for people who have little chance of success in other funding programs and who, as a result, have never led their own funded project. This is due to barriers in the application process and during project implementation. Funded project leaders receive support through approximately four “Durchstarten” coaching sessions, which they are required to attend. The coaching sessions are an integral part of the funding program. They provide the knowledge needed to successfully plan and implement one’s own project—from project work and self-employment to securing project funding.

Basic Info

• simplified application and accounting
• most of the participants in your project are between 0-27 years old
• the participants are artistically active themselves in your project
• in the project, you work together with a partner. For example: a school or an association
• up to 1.250 € per person & month (max. 15.000 €)
• max. project duration: 12 months
• earliest project start: March
• latest project end: March of the following year
• project support through coachings
• Please read our FAQ carefully before submitting an application. Ask yourself: Am I part of the target group for Durchstarten? Am I affected by major barriers in funding programs? Or could I, perhaps with a little support, apply for other funding programs—for example, in Fördersäule 1 (funding pillar 1)? 

Next application deadline

November 3, 2026 for projects in 2027

Application Coaching: Wednesday, September 30, 2026, 2-4 p.m., via Zoom (DE/EN/DGS)
Registration: https://app.guestoo.de/public/event/473a24ab-fcf0-4893-ad96-2cb29025cde9 
Application

If you have a disability or illness and encounter technical barriers in the application, please contact us at info@remove-this.durchstarten.berlin or 030 3030444-57 (alternatively -43 or -54).

Support from the ACCESS program

ACCESS is a program for accessibility in cultural funding. The program supports people with disabilities or chronic illnesses who encounter barriers submitting funding applications. ACCESS also supports Deaf and neurodivergent people. Costs incurred during the application process, such as DE-DGS interpreting, assistance services, or technical aids, can be covered by ACCESS. Further information is available here.