The program supports soundproofing measures in Berlin clubs and music venues, in order to ensure the long-term compatibility of living space and club operations near one another. Its main consideration is to address the different needs of all affected stakeholders.
The fund supports measures that defuse existing conflict situations. In addition, conflict-prevention measures and the development of soundproofing concepts are explicitly included in the funding framework.

The aim of the programme is:

• to reduce conflicts with neighbours,
• to take into account the different needs of the neighbourhood, and
• to secure club operations in the long term.

The programme funds initiatives that effectively reduce noise, for example:

• structural noise protection measures inside and outside the building
• expert reports and noise protection concepts
• innovative measures to reduce conflicts

Note:
Submitting an application does not guarantee funding.
The decision is made by Clubcommission Berlin e. V. after checking the requirements and the available budget.

Funding is available for clubs and live music venues that meet the basic requirements of the programme.

Eligible are:

• commercially operated clubs whose premises are located in Berlin
• The club must prove active programme operation for at least 12 months within the last 24 months. This can be proven by:
  • at least 24 live concerts (GEMA U-K tariff) or
  • at least 48 events with artistic DJs* or
  • a combination of both formats in a ratio of 1 to 2
• The maximum audience capacity must not exceed 1,500 people
• The club must have a valid rental or lease contract
  • The contract should be valid for at least two years after completion of the measures
  • In exceptional cases, deviations are possible if the project is of outstanding importance
• An existing or potential conflict must be proven

Not eligible are:

• conflicts caused by changed behaviour of the club
• venues that regularly receive more than 20% of their annual turnover from public funds
• network institutions with a social or cultural character
• revue theatres, musical theatres or concert halls whose character clearly differs from that of a club

*Definition of an artistic DJ: An artistic DJ, within the meaning of these guidelines, is a person who uses sound recordings and technical tools to mix different pieces of music into new soundscapes and compositions.

A conflict situation exists if the club operation is already affected by noise or is likely to be affected in the future.

Examples include:

• official measures such as usage bans, fines or operating conditions
• repeated noise-related complaints or reports
• established conflicts with neighbours, for example organised neighbourhood initiatives or involvement of politics or administration
• changes in the surrounding environment, such as new residential buildings, social facilities or the loss of noise-reducing structures
• planned urban development measures that will change the noise situation in the future
• an imminent termination of the rental or lease contract

The funding process consists of four phases.

Phase 1: Basic application – review of general eligibility

Submission of the following documents:

• basic application form
• de-minimis declaration
• project document checklist
• identity card
• GEMA certificate or proof of events
• business registration
• extract from the commercial register or transparency register
• rental or lease contract

After submission, Clubcommission Berlin commissions a qualified company to prepare a noise protection expert report.

Phase 2: Main application – application for measures

Submission of:

• main application form including a measure plan based on the noise protection report and a detailed cost calculation
• offers from specialist companies, including procurement notes

Based on these documents, the funding decision notice is issued.

Phase 3: Implementation – carrying out the measures

• Measures must be implemented within nine months
• Measures requiring approval must be coordinated with the responsible authorities
• Funding is requested after submission of invoices

Phase 4: Completion – proof of use

No later than six months after completion of the measures, all documents proving the correct use of funds must be submitted:

• factual report
• invoices
• proof of payment
• photo documentation
• evaluation form

Links:

Download area for all required documents

Detailed information on all phases under “Implementation and Application”

Maximum Funding Amount: €50,000 per application/project
Exception: Up to €100,000 if the project is of exceptional significance

Own Contribution (Co-financing) depending on the total project budget:

A single application may include multiple measures, e.g. sound insulation for windows, floors, ventilation systems, or doors

Contracts may only be awarded after approval of the main application.

A list of potential companies is available on request. Other specialist companies may also be used.

For each measure over 1,000 EUR (net):

• at least three offers from independent companies must be submitted (a rejection counts as an offer)
• a signed procurement note must be submitted

Offers must include:

• name and address of the company
• date of the offer
• detailed description of services
• net price and VAT shown separately
• delivery or execution period

Procurement must comply with § 44 LHO and ANBest-P.
It must be transparent, economical and traceable to avoid repayments.

The basic application does not ask for a funding amount, as this can only be determined after a noise impact assessment has been completed. This assessment examines the specific situation of each club—such as building structure, sources of noise, surroundings, and potential conflicts—and identifies which measures are appropriate, feasible, and legally allowed.

The measures and their costs vary from club to club. Therefore, the basic application is only used to check general eligibility for funding (e.g., applicant eligibility, program requirements, conflict situation). Specific measures, costs, and the requested funding amount are determined later in the main application, based on the assessment.

No.
The soundproofing report is prepared at the expense of the program-executing organization, Clubcommission Berlin e. V.
Any costs incurred are not taken into account when calculating the potential funding amount.
The report is a prerequisite for the main application and serves as the professional basis for the action plan.

• Own contribution must be used first.
• Invoices from the specialist companies, along with the fund request form, must be submitted to Clubcommission by email.
• Payments are made by bank transfer to a separate project account or sub-account, no later than two weeks after submission.
• Funds may only be requested for payments due within the next two months.
• Deviations of more than 20% must be requested in writing using the change request form.

Step-by-step guide

1. Fill out the fund request form:

• The form is available for download on our website.

2. Attach the required documents:

• Invoices from the specialist companies
• Proof of payment if already paid (for the first fund request, include proof of payment for your own contribution)

3. Number the documents consistently:

• Invoices: Invoice_001.pdf, Invoice_002.pdf …
• Proofs of payment: Payment_001.pdf, Payment_002.pdf …

4. Calculate the fund request:

• Add up all unpaid and already paid invoices
• Subtract your own contribution as stated in the grant notice and any previous fund requests
• The result = amount of the current fund request

5. Submit & receive payment:

• Submit the form along with all documents
• Payment will be made to the project account, usually within two weeks of submission

In general, measures may only be implemented after the main application has been approved.
Exception: In justified cases, early implementation can be requested at your own risk.

What this means:

• The measure starts before the official approval notice is received.
• All costs incurred before approval must initially be covered by the applicant.
• Funding will only be provided for measures that are later included in the approval notice.

Risks:

• If the application is not approved, the club must cover all costs already incurred.
• Changes in the scope of funding or for measures requiring approval could result in additional costs.

Requirement: Approval from the funding body and a clear justification in the application.

• Fees and insurance

• Painting or wallpapering work

• Cleaning or other incidental costs

• The standard period for measures is 9 months.
• In justified cases, a one-time extension can be requested via a change request.
• The funding body decides on extensions at its discretion.
• Measures that take significantly longer may result in reductions or repayment of the funding.

• In principle, the project volume is not limited and includes all project costs.
• The standard maximum funding is €50,000 per application. In justified exceptional cases, funding can be increased to up to €100,000 if the measure is of extraordinary significance.
• A measure is considered extraordinarily significant if it has economic, cultural, or social relevance beyond the usual effects, for example:
  • Creation or preservation of jobs, promotion of innovation or competitiveness
  • Outstanding cultural, artistic, or social impact
  • Model character or flagship effect that extends beyond the region
• To apply for increased funding, a detailed justification is required, clearly demonstrating the special significance of the measure.

• Clubs must continue operating during the measure and for 24 months afterward.
• During this period, the club may not be sold or transferred to third parties.
• Any changes in use or ownership may result in repayment of the funding.

• Proof of use must be submitted within 6 months of completing the measure, including:
  • Original invoices and payment receipts
  • Photographic documentation
  • Report on the activities
  • Evaluation form

If the measures are implemented properly and proof is provided, no repayment is required.
Repayment of the funding may be necessary if:

• The club is sold or its use is changed during the binding period
• Funding conditions are not met
• Incorrect or incomplete information is provided
• Measures are not carried out as approved

The grant recipient(s) are obligated to continue operating the subsidized club in the subsidized premises or at the subsidized location both during the renovation/construction phase and for a period of 24 months after completion of the measure, without any change in use. During this binding period, the club may not be sold or otherwise transferred to third parties, nor may the use of the premises be changed. This also explicitly applies to the sale of shares to a legal entity. In the event of a violation, the funds received must be refunded in full.