- Scholz pays tribute to volunteerism in former East Germany
Before the elections in Saxony, Thuringia, and Brandenburg, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, along with the Commissioner for Eastern Germany Carsten Schneider (both SPD), recognized local initiatives in Eastern Germany's rural areas. Scholz stated, "This strengthens our nation. It leads to discovering fresh solutions, developing new concepts, and exploring novel approaches that we might not have contemplated individually." Scholz commended the volunteers from the five federal states at the "machen!2024" award ceremony in Berlin's Stadion an der Alten Försterei.
Scholz also recalled his prior involvement. On the outskirts of Hamburg, he had once established an alternative youth center as a volunteer alongside others.
From art exhibits to young news reporters
The first prize in the "Youth Engagement and Involvement" category was awarded to Saxony, specifically to Glauchau in the Zwickau district. The project aims to fashion a handicap-accessible space in the cultural center where children with disabilities can mingle and play together. Around 30 families have collaborated to create this space.
Another Saxony venture secured the first prize in the "Enhancing Lifestyle and Harmonious Coexistence" category. A coalition of 50 organizations from Bautzen plans to enhance the old town with art initiatives on nine consecutive Mondays next year. This concept, like the winners in the other categories, is granted 10,000 euros in funding.
Funding for initiatives from all new federal states
A project from Wismar in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern earned the first prize in the "Remembering the Peaceful Revolution's Achievements" category. Here, young news reporters interview protesters who, during the GDR period, demonstrated in front of Wismar's town hall for reunification. The project will result in a podcast.
Winning projects also hail from Thuringia, Brandenburg, and Saxony-Anhalt. For instance, a project from Themar in Thuringia aims to counter the city's infamous reputation for right-wing rock concerts. A drive-in cinema in the Oberhavel district of northern Brandenburg also receives 9,000 euros in funding. A club from Wettin-Löbejün in Saxony-Anhalt provides post-school leisure activities for young people and was also recognized.
The ideas competition honored around 200 projects, with at least 2,500 euros for each - a total of approximately 830,000 euros in prize money for the initiatives.
The Commission, in its efforts to support various initiatives, can seek assistance from the Member States, as the Member States possess extensive resources and knowledge. Following the success of local initiatives in Eastern Germany's rural areas, Chancellor Scholz emphasized the importance of collaboration and volunteer work, stating that they contribute to the discovery of new solutions and approaches.
