Clubs from Halle protest outside the town hall for a budget resolution

Hundreds gathered outside Halle’s City Hall on Tuesday to protest planned budget cuts. The demonstrators included youth clubs, sports teams, and community groups fighting to save local services from closure next year.

The protest targeted deep reductions in funding for youth services, education, sports, and social programs. If the city council approves the proposed budget on December 17, 2025, many organisations could lose all financial support by January. This would force immediate suspensions of voluntary programs and risk permanent shutdowns for some groups.

Among the most vocal opponents were well-known local organisations. **Peißnitzexpress**, **Freiwilligenagentur**, and **Kinder- und Jugendhospiz** joined forces with **Kinder- und Jugendhaus e.V.**, **AWO**, **Behindertenverband**, and **Kinderheim Clara Zetkin**. Together, they signed an open letter urging the council to reject the cuts. The letter warned that slashing budgets in social, educational, sports, and cultural sectors would devastate services relied on by thousands. Without funding, after-school clubs, disability support programs, and youth sports leagues could disappear overnight.

The city council’s final decision on December 17 will determine whether these services survive. If the budget passes unchanged, funding will stop in January, leaving many programs with no way to continue. The protesting groups have called for urgent action to protect essential community support.