Lower Saxony Launches €40,000 Award for Volunteer Heroes
A new competition celebrating volunteer work across Lower Saxony launches this Wednesday. Titled Priceless & Voluntary: The Lower Saxony Award for Civic Engagement, the initiative aims to recognise the efforts of nearly three million active volunteers in the region. Organisers will award ten prizes, with a total value of €40,000, to outstanding projects and individuals. The competition is open to a wide range of participants, including volunteers, associations, charitable institutions, and self-help groups. Each entry must provide clear details about the project, such as its objectives, start date, and the number of people involved. Applicants should also include information on partner organisations and any funding received.
Submissions can be made online at www.unbezahlbarundfreiwillig.de or sent directly to the Lower Saxony State Chancellery. The deadline for entries is July 15, 2026. In early November, five shortlisted initiatives will compete for public support. From November 2 to 6, 2026, their projects will be featured on NDR's radio and television programmes. Viewers and listeners will then have the chance to vote for their favourite. Alongside the main awards, a special Volunteer Award of €4,000 will be presented. This prize is jointly funded by the organisers and public broadcaster NDR.
The winners will share a total of €40,000 in prize money. The competition highlights the impact of voluntary work in Lower Saxony, where millions contribute to community projects. Public voting in November will help determine which initiatives receive additional recognition and funding.
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