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LOS - Local Social Capital

Involve people. Link up structures. Promote micro-projects.

LOS stands for the "Local Social Capital" programme - a pilot project from the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) and the European Social Fund (ESF). This provides financial support in selected regions throughout Germany for so-called micro-projects.

The intention of LOS is to promote and improve the employability of people who are particularly disadvantaged in the labour market. Social cohesion is strengthened in the regions, facilitating the integration of individuals into the labour market. This enables local communities to better utilise their own social and economic potential and to develop further beyond the period of the LOS funding programme.

LOS also focuses on combating xenophobia.

LOS is directed at inhabitants and initiatives in the regions that work together to find solutions to social problems and, in particular, promote self-initiative. Many of these initiatives fail to come to fruition because of the lack of necessary funding, support and professional advice. This is where LOS provides assistance.

Co-financed by the European Social Fund, the BMFSFJ has provided a total of EUR 87,5 million for the programme until the end of the current ESF funding period. This involves local communities throughout the Federal Republic of Germany that come within districts covered by the Federal-Länder-Programme "Socially Integrative City". These districts can receive up to EUR 100,000 per funding year. The "Regional Coordinating Offices" at local level transfer this funding to micro-projects. The allocation of grants is decided in "Monitoring Committees", which, in addition to the local authorities, also comprise other network partners and local actors. Micro-projects can be funded to a maximum of EUR 10,000. Until now, grants have averaged EUR 6,500.

The programme is being implemented on behalf of the BMFSFJ by the Regiestelle LOS (LOS coordinating office), which comprises the Stiftung SPI, Berlin (social-welfare Foundation) and the gsub - Gesellschaft für soziale Unternehmensberatung mbH.