As a general rule, only professional, freelance artists and cultural workers who live and work in Westphalia-Lippe are eligible to apply. In accordance with the guidelines of the German Cultural Council, the professional nature of your work can be demonstrated by providing at least one of the following forms of evidence. Evidence will be requested on a random basis.

• Relevant vocational or university education in the artistic or creative field
• Membership in the artists' social security fund
• Document from the tax office with tax number
• Membership in a relevant professional association or trade union
• Performing rights agreement with a collecting society or membership in a collecting society
• Placement through an agency
• Proof of relevant professional experience

Natural persons and legal entities with their place of residence or business in Westphalia-Lippe are eligible to apply. Municipalities, municipal associations, other public-law corporations and institutions, as well as institutions run by the LWL are excluded from applying.

Funding is available for artistic projects and productions in all fields of the independent scene that have already been performed or staged in Westphalia-Lippe and are to be presented at new venues within the region. New productions are not eligible for funding. The development of new networks and performance venues in Westphalia-Lippe is essential.

Purely or predominantly commercial projects are not eligible for funding. Individual events are not usually funded.

A prerequisite for funding is the payment of minimum fees based either on the fee matrix of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the guidelines of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) or the basic fees of ver.di.

The maximum funding amount is €15,000 per financial year. Funding is generally provided for up to 90% of the total eligible expenditure, with the remaining 10% having to be provided from own resources, for example in cash, through civic engagement, co-production contributions or other funding.

Funding is provided exclusively in the form of fixed-amount financing. The prerequisite for approval is that the financing of the project is secured except for the amount of funding applied for from the LWL and that the project can be implemented in a timely manner. The entitlement to funding after approval is valid until the end of the current financial year.

All expenses related to the project are eligible, including reasonable fees, production costs and other project-related expenses.

A prerequisite for funding is the payment of minimum fees based either on the fee matrix of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the guidelines of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) or the basic fees of ver.di.

In addition, contributions to the Artists' Social Security Fund (KSK) and collecting societies such as GEMA, VG Wort or VG Bild-Kunst are eligible for funding. The eligible costs must be clearly set out in the financing plan.

Overhead costs incurred by the applicant may be recognised as eligible if they can be attributed to the project in question. The attribution of the expenses must be justified in a comprehensible manner. Overhead expenses of up to 2.5 per cent of the total eligible expenses of a project are recognised on a flat-rate basis without proof. In addition, further overhead expenses may be recognised if they are individually proven and justified.

Investment measures, construction, refurbishment and renovation measures, and representation expenses are not eligible for funding.

Work performed in the form of civic engagement can be taken into account when determining the total eligible expenditure as follows:

Since 2024, each hour worked has been charged at a flat rate of 20 euros. Simple, signed timesheets must be created as proof of the hours worked. The amount of fictitious expenses for civic engagement may not exceed 20% of the total eligible expenses. Please also note the applicable ‘Guideline on the Consideration of Civic Engagement in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia’.

Applications must be submitted by email to the LWL Cultural Department (see contact details below) by 30 September of the previous year. Projects must not have already begun. It is recommended that applicants seek advice in advance.

The next application deadline for projects starting in 2026 is 30 September 2025.

Information events on the LWL Independent Scene Fund and the application process will take place online on the following dates:

• Wednesday, 13 August 2025, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (in German)
• Friday, 5 September 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (in English)
• Monday, 15 September 2025, 4:00–5:30 p.m. (in German)
• Thursday, 25 September 2025, 10:00–11:30 a.m. (in German)

You can register by emailing simone.schiffer@lwl.org. You will receive the Zoom link with your confirmation of participation.

The application must be submitted by 30 September of the previous year by email to simone.schiffer@lwl.org and must include the following documents:

• the completed application for a grant for revival funding (fillable PDF / Word)
• the detailed cost and financing plan

The following documents may also be useful for the application:

• Timesheet for civic engagement
• Guidelines for the consideration of civic engagement in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia

All applicants will receive confirmation of receipt. The applications will then be reviewed and evaluated by an advisory board, so that a funding decision should generally be available within eight weeks of the application deadline.

The LWL Cultural Department makes its decisions in accordance with the funding guidelines and taking into account the recommendations of a rotating external advisory board.

Upon submission of the application (here: confirmed receipt) to the LWL, the early start of measures (here: preparatory measures only, invoicing only from the relevant financial year) is permitted at the applicant's own risk, without this giving rise to a legal claim to funding.

The grant will be paid out in two equal instalments. The first instalment is usually paid out within two weeks of the grant decision becoming final, and the second instalment halfway through the corresponding financial year.

A formal request for funds is not required.
If there are any deviations from the payment schedule within the scope of the project, for example an earlier payment of the second instalment, these must be requested from the LWL.
The funds must be used by the end of the approval period.

A formal request for funds is not required; see ‘Disbursement procedure’.

The LWL Cultural Department must be informed immediately if

• after submission of the financing plan, further funding for the same purpose is obtained from other sources.
• there is an increase in total income or a reduction in total expenditure of more than 20% compared to the information provided in the application.
• the measure cannot be completed in the financial year for which funding is requested.
• the purpose of the funding specified in the approval notice no longer applies, cannot be achieved or cannot be achieved with the approved funding.

The LWL must be mentioned appropriately in connection with the funded project. The printing of the LWL logo in advertising materials related to the project, such as posters, brochures, flyers, websites, social media, etc., is therefore a condition of funding. If the LWL logo is not included, there is no entitlement to the corresponding funding.

The logo of the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe, consisting of the letters ‘LWL’ and the slogan ‘Für die Menschen. Für Westfalen-Lippe’ (For the people. For Westphalia-Lippe), must be clearly visible in presentation and information media and, if applicable, displayed together with the logos of the project partners. On project websites, the LWL logo must be displayed together with and in the same size as the logos of the project partners. When used online, the LWL logo must be linked to the LWL website (www.lwl.org).

The appropriate logo image files for print and screen use are available for download at the following link: https://www.cd.lwl.org/de/downloads/logo/

The proof of use of funds must be submitted by 31 March of the following year at the latest and consists of

• the completed proof of use form,
• a factual report,
• numerical proof,
• a list of receipts (excluding invoices or receipts).

It is not necessary to submit invoices or receipts. The factual report should briefly describe how the funds were used and the results achieved. Information about the payee and details of the declaration are essential.

The LWL reserves the right to request invoices and receipts retrospectively or to check the use of funds by inspecting the relevant documents or conducting on-site inspections. Applicants must retain invoices for a period of ten years.

• Funding guidelines (only in German)
• Application for a grant for resumption funding (fillable PDF / Word)
• Cost financing plan
• Waiver of legal recourse (only in German)
• Fee matrix of the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia (only in German)
• Information sheet on minimum fees in cultural funding by the BKM (only in German)
• Basic fees of ver.di (only in German)
• Timesheet for civic engagement (only in German)
• Guidelines for the consideration of civic engagement in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (only in German)

Proof of use of funds

• Proof of use of funds 2025 (only in German)
• Numerical proof 2025 (only in German)
• List of receipts 2025 (only in German)

As a general rule, only professional, freelance artists and cultural workers who live and work in Westphalia-Lippe are eligible to apply. In accordance with the guidelines of the German Cultural Council, the professional nature of your work can be demonstrated by providing at least one of the following forms of evidence. Evidence will be requested on a random basis.

• Relevant vocational or university education in the artistic or creative field
• Membership in the artists' social security fund
• Document from the tax office with tax number
• Membership in a relevant professional association or trade union
• Performing rights agreement with a collecting society or membership in a collecting society
• Placement through an agency
• Proof of relevant professional experience

Natural persons and legal entities with their place of residence or business in Westphalia-Lippe are eligible to apply. Municipalities, municipal associations, other public-law corporations and institutions, as well as institutions run by the LWL are excluded from applying.

Funding is available for two- or three-year projects (minimum 24 to maximum 36 months) from the independent scene in all disciplines. The benchmark and most important funding criterion is artistic quality.

Purely or predominantly commercial projects are not eligible for funding. Individual events are not usually funded.

A prerequisite for funding is the payment of minimum fees based either on the fee matrix of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the guidelines of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) or the basic fees of ver.di.

The maximum funding amount is €15,000 per financial year. Funding is generally provided for up to 90% of the total eligible expenditure, with the remaining 10% having to be provided from own resources, for example in cash, through civic engagement, co-production contributions or other funding.

Funding is provided exclusively in the form of fixed-amount financing. The prerequisite for approval is that the financing of the project is secured except for the amount of funding applied for from the LWL and that the project can be implemented in a timely manner. The entitlement to funding after approval is valid until the end of the current financial year.

All expenses related to the project are eligible, including reasonable fees, production costs and other project-related expenses.

A prerequisite for funding is the payment of minimum fees based either on the fee matrix of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the guidelines of the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) or the basic fees of ver.di.

In addition, contributions to the Artists' Social Security Fund (KSK) and collecting societies such as GEMA, VG Wort or VG Bild-Kunst are eligible for funding. The eligible costs must be clearly set out in the financing plan.

Funding for investment measures as part of the submitted project ideas is also possible.

Overhead expenses (general expenses) incurred by the applicant may be recognised as eligible if they can be attributed to the respective project. The attribution of the expenses must be justified in a comprehensible manner. Overhead expenses of up to 2.5 per cent of the total eligible expenses of a project are recognised on a flat-rate basis without proof. In addition, further overhead expenses may be recognised if they are individually proven and justified.

Representation expenses are not eligible for funding.

Work performed in the form of civic engagement can be taken into account when determining the total eligible expenditure as follows:

Since 2024, each hour worked has been charged at a flat rate of 20 euros. Simple, signed timesheets must be created as proof of the hours worked. The amount of fictitious expenses for civic engagement may not exceed 20% of the total eligible expenses. Please also note the applicable ‘Guideline on the Consideration of Civic Engagement in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia’.

Applications must be submitted by email to the LWL Cultural Department (see contact details below) by 30 September of the previous year. Projects must not have already begun. It is recommended that applicants seek advice in advance.

The next application deadline for projects starting in 2026 is 30 September 2025.

Information events on the LWL Independent Scene Fund and the application process will take place online on the following dates:

• Wednesday, 13 August 2025, 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. (in German)
• Friday, 5 September 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. (in English)
• Monday, 15 September 2025, 4:00–5:30 p.m. (in German)
• Thursday, 25 September 2025, 10:00–11:30 a.m. (in German)

You can register by emailing simone.schiffer@lwl.org. You will receive the Zoom link with your confirmation of participation.

The application must be submitted by 30 September of the previous year by email to simone.schiffer@lwl.org and must include the following documents:

• the completed application for a grant for multi-year project funding (fillable PDF / Word)
• the detailed cost and financing plan

The following documents may also be useful for the application:

• Timesheet for civic engagement
• Guidelines for the consideration of civic engagement in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia

All applicants will receive confirmation of receipt. The applications will then be reviewed and evaluated by an advisory board, so that a funding decision should generally be available within eight weeks of the application deadline.

The LWL Cultural Department makes its decisions in accordance with the funding guidelines and taking into account the recommendations of a rotating external advisory board.

Upon submission of the application (here: confirmed receipt) to the LWL, early commencement of measures (here: preparatory measures only, invoicing only from the relevant financial year) is permitted at the applicant's own risk, without this giving rise to any legal entitlement to funding.

The grant will be paid in two equal instalments. The first instalment will generally be paid within two weeks of the grant decision becoming final, and the second instalment will be paid halfway through the relevant financial year.

A formal request for funds is not required.
If there are any deviations from the payment schedule within the scope of the project, for example an earlier payment of the second instalment, these must be requested from the LWL.
The funds must be used by the end of the approval period.

A formal funds request is not required; see ‘Payment procedure’.

The LWL Culture Department must be informed immediately if

• after submission of the financing plan, further funding for the same purpose is obtained from other sources.
• there is an increase in total income or a reduction in total expenditure of more than 20% compared to the information provided in the application.
• the measure cannot be completed in the financial year for which funding was requested.
• the intended purpose of the funding specified in the approval notice no longer applies, has not been achieved or cannot be achieved with the approved funding.

The LWL must be mentioned appropriately in connection with the sponsored project. The printing of the LWL logo in advertising materials related to the project, such as posters, brochures, flyers, websites, social media, etc., is therefore a condition of sponsorship. If the LWL logo is not included, there is no entitlement to the corresponding sponsorship funds.

The logo of the Landschaftsverband Westfalen-Lippe, consisting of the letters ‘LWL’ and the slogan ‘For the people. For Westfalen-Lippe’, must be clearly visible in presentation and information media and, if applicable, displayed together with the logos of the project partners. On project websites, the LWL logo must be displayed together with and in the same size as the logos of the project partners. When used online, the LWL logo must be linked to the LWL website (www.lwl.org).

The appropriate logo image files for print and screen use are available for download at the following link: https://www.cd.lwl.org/de/downloads/logo/

For multi-year projects, a brief progress report must be submitted by 1 December of the respective funding year using the template available online. The progress report consists of

• the completed progress report form,
• numerical evidence,
• a list of receipts (excluding invoices or receipts)
• and a factual report.

For multi-year projects, an interim report must be submitted by 31 March of the following year at the latest, consisting of

• the completed interim use certificate form,
• numerical evidence,
• a list of receipts (excluding invoices or receipts)
• and a factual report.

The proof of use of funds must be submitted by 31 March of the following year at the latest and consists of

• the completed proof of use form,
• a factual report,
• numerical proof,
• a list of receipts (excluding invoices or receipts).

It is not necessary to submit invoices or receipts. The factual report should briefly describe how the funds were used and the results achieved. Information about the payee and details of the declaration are essential.

The LWL reserves the right to request invoices and receipts retrospectively or to check the use of funds by inspecting the relevant documents or conducting on-site inspections. Applicants must retain invoices for a period of ten years.

• Funding guidelines (only in German)
• Application for a grant for multi-year project funding (fillable PDF / Word)
• Cost financing plan
• Waiver of legal recourse (only in German)
• Fee matrix of the Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia (only in German)
• Information sheet on minimum fees in cultural funding by the BKM (only in German)
• Basic fees of ver.di (only in German)
• Timesheet for civic engagement (only in German)
• Guidelines for the consideration of civic engagement in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (only in German)

Proof of use

• Progress report 2025
• Progress report: numerical proof 2025
• Progress report: list of supporting documents 2025
• Form Interim proof of use 2025
• Interim proof of use: numerical proof 2025
• Interim proof of use: list of supporting documents 2025

simone.schiffer@lwl.org

0251 591-7511

friederike.massling@lwl.org

0251 591-3856