startsocial is a nationwide competition that promotes volunteer social engagement. The patron is Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Under the motto 'Help for Helpers,' startsocial regularly supports 100 social initiatives with four-month consulting grants. Projects can apply until June 30th.
Previous winners and scholarship recipients include the Hamburg-based startup Viva con Agua and the Berlin-based startup Teach First Deutschland. Both companies continue to actively engage their employees on volunteer work—so what was originally just a volunteer effort can become more.
Who can apply to startsocial?
Organizations, projects, and idea generators that are working on a sustainable solution to a social problem, involve volunteers, and have a project base in Germany can apply for the competition.
The focus of startsocial is the transfer of knowledge between business and social project work. During the consulting fellowship, experts from business, the public sector, and the non-profit sector work with the fellows to further develop their initiatives.
Advice, network and cash prizes
Detailed feedback, personal advice, and a wide range of contacts help the competition participants realize their plans or optimize existing projects. The 25 most convincing scholarship projects will be invited to the Federal Awards Ceremony in Berlin. Seven outstanding initiatives will receive cash prizes totaling €35,000, including a special award from the Federal Chancellor.
Beyond the four-month consulting phase, startsocial offers the winners access to valuable contacts and individual pro bono consulting services through its alumni network.
