Apply Now: “Helden der Heimat” seeks committed initiatives from Bayreuth!

Social ideas have the power to transform our society—but who supports the people who take action? That’s exactly where Helden der Heimat comes in. Together with the Adalbert Raps Foundation, the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation (IEI) supports socially engaged initiatives from Upper Franconia—from the first idea to sustainable implementation.

“We want to empower social initiatives that are ready to scale their impact—whether by creating new offerings or making existing ones more accessible to new target groups,” explains Prof. Dr. Eva Jakob, Professor of Social Entrepreneurship at the University of Bayreuth. “We’re looking for people who are committed to social issues—especially those relevant to Upper Franconia. Our coaches will support participants in further developing their projects,” adds David Schroff-Spiering, who will be co-leading the initiative alongside Prof. Jakob.

The program consists of two consecutive phases:
In Phase 1, selected initiatives will gain access to practical workshops on topics such as financing, communication, and impact growth.
In Phase 2, three particularly compelling initiatives will each receive funding of up to €15,000 as well as one year of personalized coaching from the IEI.

“Whether it’s a student project, a nonprofit organization, or a socially driven startup—we believe the University of Bayreuth is home to many changemakers who are eager to grow,” says Prof. Jakob.

The program is focused on impact: whether it’s strengthening social inclusion, enabling access to education, promoting sustainability, or improving community life—Helden der Heimat supports initiatives that make a difference.
Application deadline: September 30, 2025

More information: https://www.raps-stiftung.de/foerderbereiche/soziales/helden-der-heimat