Promoting democracy in Chemnitz
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 staff conference on 19 June 2025
Project funding
The City of Chemnitz, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth with the federal programme "Live Democracy!" 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 2025:
A total of 31 associations and initiatives had submitted applications for democracy funding as part of the Local Action Plan for Democracy, Tolerance and a Cosmopolitan Chemnitz (LAP). Of these, 14 projects can be supported. In the federal programme "Demokratie Leben!", 8 organisations have submitted applications. Of these, 6 projects can be funded. Thanks to the dedicated support of these initiatives and associations, Chemnitz will remain colourful, diverse and cosmopolitan even as Capital of Culture 2025.
Together with the BMBFSFJ and the Free State of Saxony, SMI/LPR, Chemnitz has invested 270,000 euros in promoting democracy in Chemnitz.
The following projects will be funded in 2025:
Projects in the municipal micro-project fund
Projects in the federal programme "Living Democracy" 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.
