do it!2026
The ideas competition for civic engagement in the eastern German states
"machen!2026" competition launched: Commissioner for Eastern Germany Kaiser and DSEE strengthen commitment in eastern Germany - committed individuals can apply now
Berlin/Neustrelitz, March 3,
2026It’s time once again to bring ideas to life! From March 3 to May 5, 2026, community leaders and volunteers from the eastern German states can submit their projects aimed at fostering a sense of community. A total of at least 200 project ideas will be awarded prize money ranging from 2,500 to 10,000 euros. The competition is jointly organized by the Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany, Minister
of State Elisabeth Kaiser, and the German Foundation for Civic Engagement and Volunteering (DSEE). The goal is to recognize the diverse civic engagement of citizens in eastern Germany and make it even more visible.
Minister of State Elisabeth Kaiser, Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany:
“Especially in rural areas, every single person makes a difference. Local engagement makes all the difference and strengthens our community. That is why it is so important to me to give these many dedicated individuals a platform. The prize money helps turn good ideas into real projects.”
Jan Holze, Executive Director of the German Foundation for Civic Engagement and Volunteering: “Eastern
Germany is brimming with creative ideas, a willingness to get things done, and projects that bring people together locally. With ‘machen!2026,’ we support the people who are taking action on the ground and turning their good ideas into reality. Especially in smaller towns and communities, a sense of solidarity emerges when people take responsibility for one another and make a difference together. This commitment deserves not only recognition, but also practical support and a platform that brings it to the forefront.”
Participation is open to non-profit organizations from Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia that want to implement a project in eastern German cities and municipalities with up to 50,000 inhabitants.
An independent jury awards prizes to the best project ideas in three categories:
- "Shaping living spaces" - For a better quality of life and a strong sense of community
- "NextGen engages" - projects by and for young people
- "Building bridges" - shaping partnerships across borders
The “machen!” competition will take place for the seventh time in 2026. Since 2019, over 790 project ideas have been recognized and received a total of 3.6 million
euros in funding.
For more information and to apply, please visit: www.machen-wettbewerb.de.
BACKGROUND The “machen
!” competition recognizes the diverse range of initiatives in rural regions of eastern Germany. “machen!” supports community-building projects that promote social cohesion and are implemented in municipalities with up to 50,000 residents. Eligible applicants include associations, initiatives in cooperation with a nonprofit organization, community foundations, and community cooperatives based in the eastern German states. The competition, organized by the Federal Government Commissioner for Eastern Germany, will be held for the seventh time in 2026. Since 2023, “machen!” has been organized in cooperation with the German Foundation for Civic Engagement and Volunteering. The German Foundation for Civic Engagement and Volunteering began its work in Neustrelitz in July 2020. The foundation is the first nationwide contact point dedicated to promoting volunteer
engagement. It advises, trains, supports, and connects engaged citizens and volunteers, providing particular support in rural and structurally weak areas.