With the KOMPASS funding program – Compact Help for Solo Self-Employed Professionals – the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, together with ESF Plus, supports solo self-employed professionals in their continuing professional development. The aim of the program is to strengthen the resilience, competitiveness, and long-term viability of self-employed professionals through suitable qualification measures.

Who can benefit from KOMPASS funding?

The funding is aimed at solo self-employed professionals who have been active in the market for at least two years, employ no more than one full-time equivalent staff member, and earn the majority of their income from their commercial or freelance self-employed work.

What is funded?

Funding is available for qualification measures that help develop and secure a sustainable business model over the long term. This includes both professional and personal skills. As a rule, the training must comprise at least 20 hours. Funding can amount to up to 4,500 euros and may be used once within a period of twelve months.

How the process works

The funding process is clearly structured. It begins with a free consultation at an official KOMPASS contact point. During this consultation, eligibility is reviewed and a suitable qualification measure is identified. A qualification voucher is then issued. After that, the selected training course can be completed. Once the measure has been finished, the application and reimbursement process is carried out with the support of the contact point, so that eligible costs can be refunded.

More information here: https://hamburg.arbeitundleben.de/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Infos-zum-Foerderporgamm-Kompass.pdf