TRAFO – Modelle für Kultur im Wandel has been supporting rural regions in Germany in cultural transformation since 2015. With funding, regional networking, and knowledge exchange, TRAFO strengthens the cultural infrastructure and promotes participatory processes for sustainable changes.
The program "TRAFO – Modelle für Kultur im Wandel" is an initiative of the Federal Cultural Foundation, which has been supporting rural areas and smaller communities in Germany in shaping change processes in regional cultural work since 2015. The program aims to permanently strengthen the significance of culture in public perception and the cultural policy structures in municipalities and districts.
The main mission of TRAFO is to support cultural institutions in rural areas to adapt to societal challenges and develop new understandings and forms of collaboration. The values of the program include:
TRAFO pursues several sustainable goals:
The program has funding of 26.6 million euros for the period from 2015 to 2026. Ten regions in Germany are currently participating in the program, including Oderbruch, Südniedersachsen, Saarpfalz, Schwäbische Alb, Altenburger Land, Köthen, Rendsburg-Eckernförde, Uecker-Randow, Vogelsberg, and Westpfalz[1][2][4].
With TRAFO, the Federal Cultural Foundation makes an important contribution to strengthening culture in rural areas and promotes sustainable and participatory cultural work that actively involves and strengthens local communities.
