Promoting democracy in Chemnitz
Project funding
The City of Chemnitz, the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth – through the federal programme “Demokratie leben!” – and the State Prevention Council of the Free State of Saxony support associations and institutions that are committed to democracy in a variety of ways.
Project funding 2026:
Even after the Capital of Culture year, we are continuing to work together with a motivated civil society to ensure that democratic values and humanity shape everyday life in our city. To this end, funding of €270,000 is expected to be made available once again for the implementation of the Local Action Plan for Diversity, Tolerance and a Cosmopolitan Chemnitz, as well as from the federal programme “Demokratie leben!”.
A total of 29 organisations and initiatives have submitted applications for democracy funding under the Local Action Plan for Democracy, Tolerance and a Cosmopolitan Chemnitz (LAP). Of these, 14 projects will receive funding.
Under the federal programme “Demokratie Leben!”, 20 organisations submitted applications. Of these, 4 projects will receive funding. Thanks to the dedicated support of these initiatives and organisations, Chemnitz remains colourful, diverse and cosmopolitan.
Chemnitz, together with the BMBFSFJ and the Free State of Saxony (SMI/LPR), is investing €270,000.00 in promoting democracy in Chemnitz.
The following projects will receive funding in 2026:
> Projects in the municipal micro-project fund
> Projects under the ‘Demokratie Leben’ federal programme action fund
Federal programme "Live Democracy!"
The city of Chemnitz has started the new funding period of the federal programme "Living Democracy" from 2025 to 2032! The federally funded Chemnitz Partnership for Democracy and the Local Action Plan for Democracy, Tolerance and a Cosmopolitan Chemnitz continue to consist of the following funding areas:
- Micro-project fund of the City of Chemnitz (municipal funds)
- Initiative fund of the federal programme "Live Democracy!" (federal funds, state funds and municipal funds)
- Youth Fund Federal programme "Live Democracy!"
- External coordination office for the "Live Democracy!" federal programme - Networking, participation and public relations
State Prevention Council Free State of Saxony
In addition, the City of Chemnitz receives funding from the State Prevention Council of the Free State of Saxony, which was set up by the Saxon State Ministry of the Interior as part of the fight against crime and is still based there. The state funds are used to increase the existing initiative fund of the federal "Live Democracy!" programme.
Updating the municipal action strategy for the promotion of democracy
The public participation process of the City of Chemnitz for updating the municipal action plan for the promotion of democracy has been successfully completed. A total of 1248 citizens took part in the update. This is currently being finalised by the office of the Crime Prevention Council and will be published soon.
The city administration of Chemnitz successfully organised several conferences to promote the involvement of democratically committed citizens. The results were included in the update of the municipal action strategy for the promotion of democracy.
14 September 2023: Together conference 1.0
We.design.together
Under this motto, experts from Chemnitz were on hand to engage in lively discussions with the participants. The challenges involved in really thinking about everyone was an important topic. The question of how communication and networking can be improved came up again and again. However, there were also lively discussions about how to move from "you should" to "I'll just get started". How to better protect people from racist attacks was also discussed. Queer people want more visibility without the risk of being attacked. Pupils explained whether and how youth participation reaches their target group. As a result, a comprehensive collection of materials was created to analyse the situation and the need for action.
25 January 2024: Together Conference 2.0
We.Shape.Together - the future workshop
As part of a future workshop, wishes and goals were formulated as to what a democratic, diverse and peaceful Chemnitz of the future could look like. The basis was the material that was developed for the Miteinanderkonferenz on 14 September 2023. In response to many requests, there was plenty of time and opportunity to discuss current social challenges. The future support of committed citizenship, violence and conflict resolution skills as well as inclusion and diversity were discussed in great depth. As a result, goals and proposals were formulated that were incorporated into the municipal action strategy for the promotion of democracy.
13 June 2024: Together Conference 3.0
Shaping our commitment together
At the 3rd "Together" conference, a report was given on the measures that have been implemented to date with financial support from the City of Chemnitz, the Free State of Saxony and the federal government ("Live Democracy" federal programme) by democratically engaged citizens. Information was also provided on future funding options. Many ideas and measures were also collected on how coexistence in Chemnitz can be well organised in the future. Many ideas from the resulting collection of materials were incorporated into the municipal action strategy for the promotion of democracy.
On 19 June 2025, the 4th Miteinanderkonferenz took place on the grounds of the CVAG garage campus (intervention area of the Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025). The focus was on the topics of networking and cooperation between democratically engaged Chemnitz residents. The participants were enthusiastic about the atmosphere. It was particularly nice that wheelchair users were able to take part again due to the accessibility. A highlight was the joint design of a wall with all the good experiences and ideas that provide support in times of crisis. The presentation of the new Chemnitz Partnership for Democracy team was also very successful. The results are summarised in the attached documentation.
> Documentation of the conference on 19 June 2025
LAP coordination centre
As a municipal strategy and network, the Local Action Plan (LAP) provides the basis for action for the development of a diverse and lively culture of coexistence in Chemnitz.
The coordination centre manages the financial resources, advises the applicants and supervises the network work. It cooperates with the external coordination office within the framework of the guidelines of the federal programme "Living Democracy" and implements the Partnership for Democracy.
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