Title: Celebrating Volunteer Spirit in Saxony-Anhalt: Demography Prize Honors Committed Projects
Embracing the spirit of giving back, Saxony-Anhalt rewarded several deserving projects at the Demography Prize ceremony on Thursday. The top spot went to a dynamic initiative by the Spora local council in Burgenland district, empowering children to share their thoughts and influence decisions through elected children's mayors.
Magdeburg's Nobertusgymnasium claimed the second position with their innovative approach. Students are exposed to various forms of volunteer work at an early age through training programs in lifeguarding, mediation, and paramedics. In third place stood SchkönART Kreativ WG with their dynamic village community center, featuring a bookstore, sports hall, after-school care, and a creative workshop. The Nauendorf local history association bagged the audience award in Saalekreis.
"The myriad projects submitted demonstrate the vibrant civil society blossoming in Saxony-Anhalt," remarked Infrastructure Minister Lydia Hüskens (FDP). Emphasizing the critical role of both political support and local participation, she said, "As we face demographic change, our responsibility lies in creating an environment that allows Saxony-Anhalt to remain engaging and attractive."
A five-member jury selected the three winners from the pool of 141 applications, while the audience award was chosen through an online vote participating in which nearly 11,000 citizens took part. The winning projects garnered 10,000 euros in prize money.
Exploring Saxony-Anhalt's Commitment to Volunteer Work
Beyond the rewarded projects, Saxony-Anhalt continues to foster volunteer work and community engagement.
- : Launched in 2023, the "We Care" project brought together organizations from Europe to promote mental health awareness in youth work. Its impactful activities concluded with a final conference in January 2025, encouraging open discussions and knowledge dissemination through various approaches.
- : This fund, available until March 31, 2025, supports micro-projects in the local cultural sector. It aims to support small-scale initiatives and make civic engagement more visible.
- : Designed for cities and municipalities with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants, the LOKAL program provides funding for four years to establish long-term networks for cultural engagement.
- : The Berufsverband Bildender Künstler Sachsen-Anhalt e.V. (BBK) supports professional artists in various ways, including offering courses, workshops, and exhibitions.
- : The European Academy of Philately (FEPA) encourages community engagement and collaboration through virtual Zoom meetings, connecting members to discuss topics related to philately.
Innovative projects, like the ones celebrated at the Demography Prize, are paving the way for a more engaged and inclusive community in Saxony-Anhalt. These efforts showcase the region's commitment to volunteer work and community involvement, providing a blueprint for similar initiatives in the future.
