INQA Coaching topics: Which initiatives are eligible for funding – with examples

The INQA-Coaching supports the guidance of small and medium-sized enterprises in personnel policy and work organization changes in connection with digital transformation. Typical topics include the introduction of AI, new digital processes, changed work organization, knowledge retention and employee retention. The prerequisite is always that employees are actively involved in the process.

The framework: people and organization in digital transformation

INQA stands for “Initiative Neue Qualität der Arbeit.” The program of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs does not provide a ready-made concept from outside: an authorized coach accompanies a learning and development process in which management and employees work together to develop solutions. Funding is therefore always provided for change within the organization – not technology itself.

Typical topics with examples

Introducing AI into everyday work

How does an AI phone assistant change work at reception? Which tasks does AI take over, which remain with the team, and how are employees involved? In detail: Have the introduction of AI subsidized through INQA-Coaching.

Design digital workflows

Paper-based order processing, a mess of notes, duplicate entries: The Lab team develops new digital workflows and clarifies who will do what in the future.

Work organization and working hours

New working time models, hybrid working, shift planning, collaboration between office and field staff.

Securing knowledge

When experienced employees retire, there is a risk of knowledge being lost. The coaching develops ways to document and pass it on – for example, supported by a AI document search.

Attract and retain skilled workers

More attractive working conditions, onboarding, leadership and employee involvement as a response to the shortage of skilled workers.

Leadership and communication

How leadership works when tasks change through digitalization, and how decisions become transparent.

What is not funded

• Pure technology implementation without reference to work organization and employees.
• Software, licenses, hardware – only the coaching is funded.
• Travel expenses and materials.
• A second coaching: The funding is available only once per company.

Tip: Formulate the topic from the employees’ perspective

Formulate the project in a way that makes clear what will change for the people in the company: not “introduce an AI chatbot,” but “reorganize customer inquiries with AI support and involve the team in the process.” This fits the logic of the program—and the initial consultation at the INQA advisory center becomes easier.

Grant, requirements and duration are listed on the page INQA-Coaching; describes the process INQA coaching process. bettersorted is an authorized INQA coach with a focus on digitalization and AI – the funding check shows whether your company is eligible.

Topics by industry – examples

• Craft trades: Reorganize order processing between the construction site and the office, phone answering with AI – see INQA-Coaching im Handwerk.
• Care and social services: Reduce documentation workload, shift planning, communication with relatives.
• Service providers and law firms: Knowledge management, client and customer communication.
• Retail: Order and service processes, collaboration between store and online.

How a topic becomes a work program

1. The steering committee defines the objective and framework.
2. The lab team collects problems and ideas from everyday work.
3. Together, work packages are defined, such as “reorganizing telephone reception.”
4. Each work package is planned, tested, and evaluated.
5. In the end, the result is an approach that the organization can continue on its own.

Why participation makes the difference

Changes that employees help shape themselves are more likely to be accepted and last longer. In AI projects, there is also this factor: the people who carry out a task every day know best where AI helps and where it gets in the way. We have also gained this experience in projects in the social economy, for example in theIntegration support from Caritas.

Who we are

bettersorted is a consultant registered with BAFA and authorized INQA coach with a focus on digitalization and AI, based in Schwerin and co-founder of the KI|werk MV network. Among others, we have supported DRK Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in the strategic introduction of AI and Pumpenallianz Nord in AI consulting.

Example: AI phone assistant as an INQA topic

A trades business wants to reduce missed calls. In INQA coaching, the focus is not on selecting software, but on the work around it: Which calls will an assistant handle in the future? How will the team learn about requests? Who will call back? How will office work change? The lab team develops the processes, tests them, and evaluates them. The business finances the software itself.

Requirements at a glance

• SMEs with fewer than 250 employees and no more than €50 million in revenue or €43 million in total assets
• On the market for at least two years
• At least one full-time position subject to social security contributions
• Have not yet participated in INQA-Coaching
• Freelancers and non-profit organizations are also eligible for funding

All details: INQA-Coaching: requirements and process.

How to find the right topic

1. Collect the biggest burdens in day-to-day work together with management and two or three employees.
2. Check which of these are related to digitalization or new work organization.
3. Choose a topic that can deliver visible results within seven months.
4. Formulate goals that the team understands – for example, “callbacks within one day” instead of “process optimization.”
5. Coordinate with the INQA advisory center in the initial consultation.

With bettersorted

bettersorted is an AI consulting and automation company from Schwerin. We are a BAFA-registered consultant, an authorized INQA coach, and co-founder of the KI|werk MV network; our practical experience comes from the social sector, skilled trades, and SMEs. Our solutions run on servers in Germany, with transparent workflows instead of a black box.

Frequently asked questions

Which topics are funded under INQA-Coaching?

Personnel policy and work organization changes in connection with digital transformation – for example, the introduction of AI, digital processes, work organization, knowledge retention, and retention of skilled workers.

Can the introduction of AI be funded through INQA-Coaching?

Yes, if it concerns changes to work and organization and employees are involved. The AI software itself is not funded.

How often can a company use INQA-Coaching?

Only once. Companies that have already taken part in INQA-Coaching are not eligible for funding again.

Can multiple topics be addressed in INQA-Coaching?

Yes, within the one funded coaching process, several related work packages can be addressed — as long as the framework of up to twelve consulting days and seven months is observed.

As of: October 2026. Only the currently valid version of the funding guideline is authoritative.