Have political education seminars offered by private educational providers recognized as eligible for special leave by the Federal Agency for Civic Education

Are you organizing a civic education event for federal civil servants and judges? Then you can have your event recognized by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) as eligible for special leave.

Federal civil servants and judges can receive up to 10 days of special leave per year in accordance with the Special Leave Ordinance to participate in educational events in the fields of politics and society. This applies primarily to educational events conducted by public authorities.
If you, as a non-governmental organization, offer seminars for this target group, you can have them recognized as „eligible for funding“ by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (BpB). Participants can then be granted leave from work for your educational program. This can have a positive effect on the number of participants.
If your educational event focuses on one of the following topics, it can be recognized by the BpB:

• Promoting the understanding of the democratic societal and state order in theory and practice
• Imparting knowledge on central economic, social, ecological, technical and cultural issues of the present and the future
• Promotion of historical awareness that critically supports the development of a national identity
• Promotion of a critical engagement with National Socialism 
• Contemporary historical events
• Intellectual and political engagement with anti-democratic tendencies; especially with regard to right-wing and left-wing extremism
• Reduction of prejudices against minorities and marginalized social groups
• Imparting knowledge about the development of international relations
• Raising awareness of the issues surrounding peacekeeping
• Strengthening and further development of a European consciousness
• Promotion of a critical examination of the former GDR
• Public speaking and communication seminars are recognized provided that the practical exercises are based on political topics. The list of topics must be attached to the application. The recognition of eligibility for funding relates exclusively to the educational event itself, and not generally to you as an educational institution.
   

You can apply in writing for recognition of the eligibility for funding of your educational event:

• There is no form. You can apply for recognition informally.
• Send your application with all required documents by mail to the Federal Agency for Civic Education. 
• The BpB will review the application and the program of your educational event.
• The BpB will send you the certificate of recognition or a notice of rejection by mail.
   

You should apply for recognition at least 6 weeks before the start of the educational measure.

There are no costs for you. 

You can lodge an objection against the rejection notice with the Federal Agency for Civic Education within 1 month.