"Goals not met": Prien overhauls 'Democracy lives' funding program - Germany's Democracy Funding Overhaul Sparks Backlash Over Cuts to 200+ Projects
German Education Minister Karin Prien is set to overhaul the federal funding program Democracy in Action. The changes will see more than 200 projects lose financial support by the end of the year. Critics argue the move will weaken efforts to combat discrimination and radicalisation across the country.
The Democracy in Action initiative was launched in 2015 to boost civic engagement and tackle extremism. Administered by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, it currently holds a budget of €191 million for 2026. Prien, however, believes the program's funding does not deliver enough results.
Two key areas will be scrapped entirely: the 'development of a nationwide infrastructure' and 'innovation projects'. Instead, the minister plans to redirect funds toward institutions already rooted in local communities. This shift has drawn sharp criticism, particularly from within the conservative CDU/CSU bloc.
Among the affected organisations are high-profile groups such as the Amadeu Antonio Foundation, BUND, HateAid, Correctiv, the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. While exact figures remain unclear, many of the cancelled projects focus on anti-discrimination and human rights work.
The restructuring means over 200 projects will lose funding before 2025. Prien's reforms aim to streamline spending but risk reducing support for grassroots anti-discrimination efforts. The final impact on civic engagement and radicalisation prevention remains to be seen.
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