The self-help contact point

We

• work across disciplines and topics on the subject of self-help and are open to all interested parties
• support individuals in finding or founding self-help groups
• advise self-help groups and self-help initiatives on conceptual and organizational issues
• promote the exchange of experience and communication between the various local self-help groups and self-help initiatives
• establish contacts between self-help groups or self-help initiatives and health and social care professionals
• mediate between self-help groups or self-help initiatives and regional decision-makers

• create a self-help-friendly climate through targeted public relations work

The importance of self-help has increased steadily over the last 30 years. For the professional players, the value and benefits of self-help for social and healthcare provision are undisputed and were described by Horst Seehofer as the fourth pillar of the healthcare system during his time as Federal Minister of Health.

Alois Glück, the leader of the CSU parliamentary group in Bavaria, even described self-help as the "heart of modern civic and social culture" in Mühldorf in 1999. However, self-help is valued and recognized across all parties in Bavaria.

Particularly in the 21st century, under the auspices of a confusing, digitalized world that demands widespread networking, the individual is often overwhelmed and lonely.

The economic crisis and the collapse of social security systems in Germany are causing uncertainty and leaving gaps in care. Self-help responds to the changes in our society and addresses current issues immediately and unbureaucratically. Self-help addresses a social emergency in order to strengthen the individual, the group and ultimately the community through self-responsibility and small social networks.

Self-help groups from the health sector receive funding from statutory health insurance funds on the basis of § 20h SGB V.

In the Oberland region, funding is coordinated and organized by the RUNDER TISCH OBERLAND funding association. This is responsible for the districts of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, Miesbach, Weilheim-Schongau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The "RUNDER TISCH OBERLAND" support association is responsible for the districts of Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen, Miesbach, Weilheim-Schongau and Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The aims of the support association are

• Simplification of procedures
• Advice for self-help groups
• Transparency in determining the funding amount
• Prevention of double funding

The OBERLAND ROUND TABLE in Bad Tölz

• acts as an advisory intermediary between self-help groups and health insurance companies
• relieves groups and cash registers
• optimizes financial support
• ensures the transparency of subsidies
• Prevents double funding and ensures needs-based support
• provides information about self-help support and carries out public relations work
• provides preparatory advice for the preparation of applications
• organizes the meetings of the support association
• submits the collected applications to the OBERLAND ROUND TABLE, where decisions on funding are voted on

Four representatives of the self-help groups from the Oberland region funded by the health insurance companies take part in the funding association's award meeting. The health insurance companies decide on the funding, issue the notifications and pay out the grants.

The application documents for the new funding year 2026 and the proof of use for the year 2025 can be downloaded below.
In the file "Termine zum Vormerken 2026" you will find the training and event program of the Selbsthilfekontaktstellen Bayern e. V. and the Selbsthilfekoordination Bayern.

Of course, you can address your questions in advance and afterwards by telephone or e-mail to the RUNDER TISCH OBERLAND office or make an appointment at the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district office.

The deadline for submitting both the application and the proof of use is 15.02.2026.

For many years now, the Bavarian state government has been supporting self-help groups for the inclusion and participation of people with disabilities or chronic illnesses within the scope of available budget funds. The purpose of the funding is to support the initiative of those affected in the implementation of self-help measures.

Further information can be found on the ZBFS homepage.