KOMPASS - Compact support for solo self-employed persons

KOMPASS helps self-employed people working on their own prepare their businesses for the future. It funds continuing education and training tailored to individual needs. Participants can receive a grant of up to 4,500 euros towards suitable training. To qualify, they must first receive advice from one of the KOMPASS contact points across Germany.

Target group

The programme is aimed at self-employed people working on their own in a range of sectors and occupations who:

• live and work in Germany
• pursue self-employment as their main occupation
• have been in business for at least two years
• employ no more than the equivalent of one full-time employee.

Activities

Funding is available for individually selected training lasting at least 20 hours. The training must be completed within six months. The training that can be funded depends on the individual’s continuing training needs. Examples include:

• business management training
• digital skills
• methodological knowledge
• sector-specific expertise

How the programme supports self-employed people working on their own

Participants can receive a grant covering part of their training costs, up to a maximum of 4,500 euros. Funding is subject to conditions including the following:

• participants must first consult with a KOMPASS contact point
• funding is available only once within any twelve-month period
• the training must not have started, and participants must not yet have registered for it

There is no legal entitlement to funding.

Advice and support from KOMPASS contact points

One of the KOMPASS contact points across Germany can help you find suitable training. During an individual initial consultation, you will receive advice on suitable courses, the funding requirements and the next steps. This initial consultation is mandatory before a training voucher can be issued. KOMPASS contact points check the documents, guide participants through the entire funding process and help them apply for reimbursement. 

Six steps to funding

1. Attend a mandatory consultation with a KOMPASS contact point, in person or online
2. Select suitable training
3. Receive a training voucher from the KOMPASS contact point.
4. Take part in the agreed training within six months
5. Apply for reimbursement from Deutsche Rentenversicherung Knappschaft-Bahn-See (DRV KBS) through the Z-EU-S funding portal, with support from the KOMPASS contact point. A video explains how to apply.
6. DRV KBS checks and reimburses the eligible costs

Answers to frequently asked questions can be found in the document “FAQ for self-employed people working on their own” (currently only available in German).

Information on the issuance of training vouchers

Demand for KOMPASS funding remains very high. To ensure applications can be processed promptly, the number of training vouchers issued each month is limited nationwide. This applies to all contact points. It is therefore not always possible to issue a training voucher promptly. Please take this into account when planning and contact only one contact point. Multiple enquiries cause delays in the overall process. To help ensure that your application is submitted promptly and successfully, please coordinate the entire application process closely with your contact point and use its support throughout. At the start of the process, you must agree a firm appointment with your contact point for submitting your application.