Regulations of the Evangelical Synod of the Canton of Thurgau on the fund for the co-financing of diaconal tasks, church youth work, and parish development - Principle

1. The Protestant Regional Church of the Canton of Thurgau maintains a special account titled "Fund for the Co-financing of Tasks in Diaconal Work, Youth Work, and Community Building."

1. The resources of the fund shall be used to promote innovative projects with the potential for a sustainable impact in the areas of diaconia, youth work, and community building.

1. Eligible Organizations for Supported Projects

1. * Protestant Church Congregations in Thurgau

2. * Church-related or affiliated associations and institutions, or

3. * The Protestant Regional Church of the Canton of Thurgau

1. Contributions may particularly be allocated

1. as start-up assistance for new projects

2. * as initial funding for new positions in church congregations with a focus on diaconal work, youth work, or community building

3. as one-time contributions to projects

4. * for the co-financing of projects initiated by the regional church

5. * if they initiate supra-congregational projects

1. Seed funding for new positions may be granted for a maximum of three years.

2. Initial support for new projects is provided for a maximum of three years. If an extension beyond the three-year period is sought, applicants must demonstrate that the degree of self-financing has increased and is expected to continue to rise.

1. No contributions shall be specifically issued for

1. Projects without a church background

2. Tasks that are mandated by law

3. Aid to individuals

4. * ...

5. * Publications and research projects

6. * Small projects where the total amount is under CHF 2,000 or the eligible annual support share is under CHF 500

1. The fund is built up by

1. * The capital that the fund possessed for co-financing tasks of the Diakonia, church youth work, and community construction upon the enactment of this regulation

2. the fund capital that the "Special Account Family Relief Service" possessed upon the enactment of this regulation

3. the annual interest yield of the fund capital

4. donations from third parties

5. donations from church communities or the Evangelical Regional Church

1. For contribution payments, the total annual available fund interest and a maximum of 6% of the respective book value of the fund's assets are provided.

2. The maximum limit for support per project is 50% of the available resources per year.

3. A project will be funded up to a maximum of 75%.

1. The responsible bodies of a project's sponsorship submit an application to the Church Council. The application must contain at least the following information

1. Project concept

2. Information about the sponsorship and the responsible persons

3. Budget

4. For applications for initial financing or start-up assistance: financing plan beyond the start-up phase

2. ...

3. Additional documents may be requested if necessary.

1. The person designated by the church council to process the applications determines whether the documents are sufficient and, if necessary, obtains additional documents.

2. ...

1. The Church Council decides on the contributions.

2. For applications that include contributions over several years, the Church Council decides from the beginning on the total sum and the dates of disbursement.

3. If it becomes apparent before the expiration of the agreed contribution years that the goals of the beneficiary projects cannot be achieved, the Church Council may, with six months' notice, cease the outstanding contribution payments.

1. The responsible bodies of the entities that have received a one-time contribution are obliged to submit a report voluntarily no later than one year after the contribution is granted.

2. In the case of start-up assistance or initial financing provided over several years, the responsible bodies are obligated to submit an annual brief report to the Church Council voluntarily and a detailed report after the co-financing period has ended.

1. The dissolution of the fund is decided by the synod. Any remaining assets shall fall to the property of the Protestant Regional Church.