Microprojects
Since 2017, microprojects have flanked the entire Capital of Culture process: an idea, a brief description - and with a little creativity, a microproject is born. You can easily get support for your idea. The kitchen table, the school or the clubhouse become creative forges, and ideas can be realised directly with friends, colleagues or communities.
We - the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH, hereinafter referred to as Chemnitz 2025 - are building on this success in the gap year 2026.
This year, there is also the possibility that successfully submitted micro-projects could become part of the KOSMOS Festival. If applicants are interested in this opportunity, they can indicate this in the application process.
Helena Déus
Administrative Assistant Microprojects
- via e-mail to mikroprojekte@chemnitz2025.de
- phone number: +49 (0) 371 33760597
What makes a successful microproject
It doesn't need complicated concepts, it needs lively ideas. In principle, the application of at least one of the five Chemnitz2025 project criteria is mandatory for every microproject. Support is given to projects that:
- involve local and/or European neighbours,
- promote making, be it in terms of craftsmanship or socially,
- involve other third parties and motivate them to get involved,
- Open up and revitalise places with new ideas,
- make the invisible (stories, initiatives, people) visible
- and commit to the mission statement of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH .
Your project ideas on the following five topics:
- #3000Garages: Creativity and encounters in garage courtyards and around garages
- Living neighbourhood: Planting, caring, learning, cooking - experiencing neighbourhood together
- Celebrating Generations: Young and older people shape the world together.
- PURPLE PATH art & sculpture trail: art and culture throughout the Capital of Culture region inspires people to be together
- Maker region (theme following on from Makers, Business & Art): Making, thinking, tinkering - whether alone or in community: great ideas from crafts, business and art are in demand.
Project proposals to be carried out in the intervention areas are also very welcome. Carry on the momentum of the Capital of Culture in Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region. Use microprojects for your project!
Key data on the tender
Who: Associations, initiatives (association of citizens from Chemnitz or the 38 partner municipalities for project realisation) & individuals. Associations must be based in Chemnitz or one of the 38 partner municipalities. For natural persons, the place of residence is decisive. For initiatives, it is sufficient if one of the applicants has a place of residence in Chemnitz or one of the 38 partner municipalities.
- Financial support: up to €2,000, if the project has an international / European connection, support of up to €2,500 is possible.
- Expenses that can be financed include all material expenses and fees that are directly related to the project. The provisions of the Saxon Travel Expenses Act must be observed. Expenses for catering are generally not eligible for funding.
- Self-financing is not a requirement.
- Commercial project ideas, investments in private property and projects that primarily serve individual interests cannot be supported.
As a rule, we assume that projects with a budget of more than €10,000 are no longer micro-projects, nor are long-established projects with an organisational structure.
- Applications can be submitted easily and exclusively online , usually using an online form that found here (the online form is in german).
- When submitting your project application, it is advisable to have already worked out the planning, implementation and financing in great detail so that it can be implemented promptly (e.g. any necessary permits or rooms may already have been requested).
You can call +49 (0) 371 33760597 and email mikroprojekte@chemnitz2025.de to ask questions about the application process.
- Start: Publication of all calls on 11 February 2026.
- Only applications received by 31 March 2026 can be considered.
The project can start after notification by Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH. The notification is expected to take place in mid-May.
submit project application here (the online form is in german)
The micro-projects were supported by eins energie in sachsen GmbH & Co. KG in the European Capital of Culture year 2025.
Thanks to the commitment of eins energie in sachsen GmbH & Co. KG as the main sponsor of Chemnitz 2025 European Capital of Culture, the funding amount for the Capital of Culture year 2025 was increased, with a total of €100,000 available for projects in Chemnitz and the Capital of Culture region.
