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"Let's Do It!" 2026 Community Engagement Contest

[Translate to English:] Foto: Tamanna Rumee, Unsplash

Do you have a project idea that strengthens social cohesion in a small East German city or town? You can submit it to the “machen!2025” civic engagement competition by May 15, 2025. A panel of experts will select 200 projects across three categories and award prize money ranging from €2,500 to €10,000. The goal is to raise awareness of community-driven ideas and support their implementation.

In the “machen!2026” competition, you and your project idea team will explore ways in which local engagement can strengthen social cohesion. The projects should foster interaction, mutual support, or creative contributions to community life in smaller towns. The competition focuses on innovative initiatives that strengthen local community ties in eastern Germany . The goal is to raise awareness of these project ideas and provide prize money to help bring them to life.

Nonprofit organizations from the eastern German states—such as associations, foundations, or cooperatives—are eligible to apply; initiatives without their own legal status may participate in cooperation with an organization.

Source: machen-wettbewerb.de

 

The application deadline for 2026 has not yet been announced

Date
Title
Location
Description
May 31

NAJU (Naturschutzjugend im NABU)

In the nationwide “Erlebter Frühling” contest, children up to age 13 explore nature in their local area. Individual children, groups of children, school classes, and daycare groups can participate. Entries are judged based on various criteria, including creativity, relevance to the theme, and the children’s involvement. Award-winning entries win a nature adventure day.
Oct 11

Kinder- und Jugendbüro Steglitz-Zehlendorf

Through the “District Heroines” program, Steglitz-Zehlendorf honors young people between the ages of 10 and 21 who regularly volunteer in the district. You can nominate a dedicated individual by October 11, 2026. The selected “District Heroines” will be honored at an event on November 27, 2026.
Oct 02

Bezirksamt Tempelhof-Schöneberg

Tempelhof-Schöneberg honors outstanding volunteer work in the district. Individuals who have been actively involved for many years may be nominated for the Medal of Merit. The Incentive Award recognizes individuals, groups, or projects that contribute to the community in the district. The Incentive Award comes with a total prize of 1,500 €.
Oct 02

Bezirksamt Tempelhof-Schöneberg von Berlin

In Berlin’s Tempelhof-Schöneberg district, the district office annually honors outstanding volunteer work. To this end, medals of merit are awarded to individuals who have shown sustained commitment to the common good over many years, and incentive awards—each worth €1,000—are presented to publicly recognize exemplary achievements by individuals, groups, or projects. Nominations are accepted by the Volunteer Office.
Aug 16

Bundesministerium für Bildung, Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMBFSFJ)

For the first time, the German Community Award recognizes projects, initiatives, and organizations that combat loneliness and strengthen social cohesion. Eligible applicants include civil society initiatives, clubs, associations, as well as municipalities and public institutions. The award is presented in four categories and comes with prize money.
Jul 31

Gesellschaft für Medienpädagogik (GMK)

The Dieter Baacke Prize recognizes media education projects that help children, teenagers, and families use media creatively and critically. Extracurricular projects, as well as collaborations between school-based and extracurricular institutions, are eligible to apply. The prize is awarded nationwide in six categories.
Mar 31

Bezirksamt Reinickendorf von Berlin

With the Dieter-Braunsdorf Medal, the Reinickendorf district honors individuals who volunteer to support sports in the district. The award is presented annually in bronze, silver, and gold. Starting in 2026, volunteers under the age of 27 will also be eligible for the award for the first time. Reinickendorf sports clubs and organizations can nominate candidates through March 31.

Bezirksamt Tempelhof-Schöneberg

Community Service Initiatives in the District

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