histoCON 2025: Terms & Conditions | histoCON | bpb.de

Participants must be aged between 18 and 27 on 5 May 2025 (start of the event). All participants from aboard must possess valid travel documents for entry into Germany at the time of travel. These include a valid passport and, in certain cases, a valid visa (see Externer Link: German Foreign Office).
Participants are responsible for checking the currently valid entry requirements for their country of origin. You also require a valid identity document when checking in to your hotel and in order to receive your histoCON badge.
histoCON is aimed at young, committed people. A keen interest in the histoCON topics and strong motivation are prerequisites for participating in histoCON 2025.

Language skills
The histoCON workshops will be exclusively held in English. Fluency in English is therefore a prerequisite for participating in histoCON.

Applying to take part
You can only apply to take part in histoCON by filling in the registration form on the bpb website during the application period. Only applications submitted in English will be considered. We will review all applications received within the application period.
Part of the application process includes the digital submission of a photograph showing something that connects the applicant to the Second World War and its remembrance. By submitting an application, applicants confirm that they are either the author/copyright owner of the photograph or that they have all the necessary rights to use the image. They also grant the organiser permission to use the photographs in digital and analogue form for promotional and educational purposes at histoCON. When the photographs are published, you will always be named as the author and your copyright will be cited. If the bpb is held liable for infringement of third-party rights, the applicant shall indemnify the bpb in full against any liability and costs, including any legal costs.

Travel allowance
The Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) will reimburse part of your travel expenses based on a flat rate (one-off payment). This travel allowance is based on your country of origin, which is determined by your current place of residence as stated in your application. Please note that only the stated amount will be reimbursed, irrespective of the actual travel expenses incurred and without the need to submit receipts. The travel allowance can be used to cover all associated costs, such as for transportation, travel insurance, visa and baggage fees, etc. Any additional costs incurred will not be reimbursed and must be borne by the participant.

Conditions and payment of the travel allowance
The travel allowance will be paid in cash and in euros at the end of the event. It is not possible to pay the travel allowance in other currencies.
The travel allowance will be paid on condition that you attend the entire workshop programme and all compulsory programme elements for histoCON (from Monday, 5 May 6 pm to Thursday, 8 May 9 pm). Participation will be verified by means of a registration system on site. Participation in the event programme is compulsory! Your arrival and departure must be planned so that you can participate from start to finish. It is not possible for you to receive an advance payment before the start of the event or for you to receive payment after the event has finished.
You can find a list of the various countries and the respective flat rate payments here:

Sustainable travel management
HistoCON will be organised and held in a sustainable and climate-friendly manner, in accordance with the requirements of the German federal government. We encourage you to travel to the conference by environmentally friendly means of transport, especially by train. Participants from Europe are kindly requested to check if it is possible to travel by train.

Booking your trip
You are responsible for making your own travel arrangements. Please do not book until you have received your final confirmation of participation and have reconfirmed your participation with the organisers. Without a final reconfirmation of your participation, you will not be entitled to receive the travel allowance! Please book your travel as soon as possible after receiving your final confirmation of participation to avoid high travel costs. Once you have booked your travel, please send the respective information (arrival and departure times with the dates and times) to the organisation team: histocon@bpb.de

In addition to the travel allowance, the bpb offers grants for participating in histoCON. The grant includes the payment of travel expenses according to the conditions listed below as well as the payment for a creative contribution to be provided in the run-up to the event as part of the festival.

Scope
Travel expenses will only be covered for travel to and from Berlin that enables participants to arrive in Berlin on 5 May 2025 and depart on 9 May 2025. It is only possible to arrive earlier if this can be justified by otherwise unreasonable travel times. Later departure is not possible. The trip will be booked by the bpb. Participants’ own bookings will not be reimbursed. The bpb cannot cover any fees for applying for a visa or for taking out travel health insurance required for a visa. These costs must be covered by the grant holders themselves.

Remuneration
Each grant holder is required to provide a piece of creative work in advance that contributes to the content of the festival. This contribution comprises an essay (1,500-2000 words) or, in prior consultation with the organisers, a creative contribution (e.g. comic, podcast, video, artistic work) that deals with the question of how the events of the Second World War or developments resulting from them influence the present and future of the grant holders. The focus may be on a particular event, movement, person or social change. The essay/creative contribution should include at least one unexpected change of perspective – for example, the presentation of a historical event from the point of view of a group of people who have received little attention. The aim is to combine personal reflection with a well-founded examination of history. The essay/creative contribution must be submitted digitally by 5 March 2025 if the grant is awarded. The organiser reserves the right to present the essay/creative contribution at the event. This contribution will be remunerated with a one-off payment of €150, which will be paid after the contribution has been made.

Application Requirements
During the application process, participants must state why they wish to take advantage of a grant. It is not possible to apply for the grant and the travel allowance at the same time.

Number of grants
The number of grants is strictly limited. There is no automatic right to a grant. Grants are awarded after reviewing the respective applications and taking into account the reasons given by the organiser.

Contractual obligations
By accepting the grant, participants agree to make the agreed contribution in full and on time. If the contribution is not made or the participant does not show up at the festival, the organiser reserves the right to reclaim the travel expenses and the remuneration.

If you indicate this in your registration, the bpb will provide you with accommodation in double rooms, separated by gender, from 5 to 9 May 2025. Please let us know if you do not require accommodation for the entire period. Otherwise, any cancellation fees will be charged to you (see “Cancellation” regulations). You can only extend your stay if you book privately and assume the costs. Please note that costs for alternative accommodation will not be covered. Participants will be provided with breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire duration of the event. Drinks will also be available at all times.
Please note that we only offer vegetarian/vegan food.

If you are unable to attend histoCON 2025 or are unable to use the provided accommodation for any other reason, please let us know as soon as possible.
Please note: Should you cancel after reconfirming your participation (final registration) or do not attend and fail to provide us with any prior notice (no-show), you must cover any travel expenses already incurred as well as any cancellation fees for the booked accommodation incurred by the organisers! We recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance.

Should you become ill in Berlin (unable to participate in the programme), please contact the organisation team immediately at: histocon@bpb.de