Bautzen ensures democracy: Funding program extended by 2032!

Bautzen ensures democracy: Funding program extended by 2032!

In Bautzen there is significant news for the federal funding program "Living Democracy". Since 2017, the city has been committed to promoting democratic coexistence and positioning itself against forms of extremism. On January 1, 2025, a new funding period starts in which projects are to be supported that strengthen civil society engagement. The focus is on the cooperation with the coordination and specialist agency, which is currently being supervised by the district association Bautzen of Arbeiterwohlfahrt (AWO).

The city played a central role to ensure that all necessary applications are submitted correctly and the funding is distributed efficiently. André Wucht, speaker of the mayor, presented this path in the city council and actively promotes implementation. A new guideline provides for a youth forum that offers young people the opportunity to initiate their own projects and actively shape them.

future prospects and responsibilities

As part of the program, a comprehensive network is sought to support the partnerships for democracy, which also works nationally. In addition, a coordination and specialist center is required, which is to be selected as a freelance carrier to advise various initiatives and coordinate the projects.

For the financial aspect of the program, up to 140,000 euros per partnership is planned annually from 2025. This sum is used proportionately for the financing of the coordination office and the implementation of projects. Bautzen does not have to make its own financial contribution, which the city relieves considerably.

The funding money is used for a large number of initiatives, including events such as the festival of encounter and the old town festival. These events are of particular importance for the city, since without the funding of their implementation is at risk - a fact that force has also emphasized.

The decision on the continuation of the program recently fell after an exciting city council meeting. While some voices, in particular the AfD, expressed concerns and pleaded for a careful handling of the tax remedies, other city council members such as Jonas Löschau from the Greens and Katja Gerhardi from the CDU argued for the value of the program. "It would send a wrong signal not to continue the program," said Löschau.

After passionate discussions, a short majority managed to continue the federal funding program "Live Democracy" until 2032. This decision met with a positive response in the city council and is perceived as an important step for the future of the city.

For more information on this topic and the following projects, see the current reports on www.alles-lausitz.de .