Call for Projects to Fund for Diversity in SMEs

The halt on applications for games funding does not mean that games companies cannot participate in other funding programs. The Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS; Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs) is currently seeking projects aimed at retaining skilled workers in SMEs through greater diversity.

This initiative is particularly relevant to the games industry, where diversity has been a prominent issue for some time, gaining traction among many studios. The new funding call launched by BMAS targets diversity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Funding will support projects that create so-called INQA experimental spaces. INQA stands for Initiative Neue Qualität der Arbeit (New Quality of Work Initiative), which helps companies and organizations adapt to the evolving world of work and foster a forward-thinking corporate culture.

According to the funding guidelines, up to 70 percent of a project's budget can be funded, with a maximum cap of 600,000 euros. Expressions of interest must be submitted by January 31, 2025. A workshop for interested companies is scheduled for January 8. A total of approximately 3 million euros per year is available for INQA experimental spaces.

The current funding call from BMAS focuses on two key groups of employees: those with a migration background and older employees. The latter group is rarely a major topic in the games industry, as the sector is still relatively young and, therefore, less affected by the loss of skilled workers due to retirement.