Zwickau receives Saxon sponsorship award: A sign for democracy!

Zwickau receives Saxon sponsorship award: A sign for democracy!

On November 6, 2025, the city of Zwickau was awarded the Saxon Promotion Prize for Democracy at a festive event in the Small House of the State Theater in Dresden. Mayor Constance Arndt was pleased with the positive recognition for the city, which was honored for its commitment to democratic culture. In addition to her, Isabell Reise from the Municipal Prevention Office and Anja Dähne from “Project 46” were also present to experience this special moment. The city received not only a large plaque and flowers, but also warm applause for their efforts.

Why Zwickau of all places? The jury praised the city for its strong role in promoting democratic culture, which has grown significantly in recent years. Particularly worthy of mention is the Alter Gasometer Association, which was awarded the Saxon Promotion Prize in 2023 and thus laid the foundation for Zwickau's recognition. The city's investments in voluntary tasks, particularly in child and youth welfare, amount to an impressive 3.4 million euros annually. This not only shows a strong commitment to the younger generation, but also the will to actively promote and live democratic principles. Further information can be found at freipresse.de.

Diversity and commitment in Zwickau

Zwickau, with around 87,000 residents, has changed since 1984, when the population was 122,000. Despite a decline in residents, the city shows a growing number of young citizens who want to stay in Zwickau. The attractive living environment and a high density of youth and leisure activities make the city particularly interesting for young people. Zwickau is also a center of German automobile manufacturing, associated with historic brands such as Horch, Audi and Sachsenring.

Another outstanding project in Zwickau is “Project 46”, which serves as an open space for political education and cultural events. The initiative is already attracting many interested citizens and represents Zwickau's commitment to political education. In addition, the city has set up a memorial for the NSU crimes at the Schwanenteich and is involved in programs such as the “Cosmopolitan Commune”, which promotes democracy and integration. This is also emphasized by Isabell Reise, who studied sociology, folklore and cultural history at the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena and heads the municipal prevention department.

Thanks to such initiatives and ongoing engagement in civil society, Zwickau has not only made a significant contribution to a vibrant democracy, but has also been able to bring about a positive change in the perception of the city within Saxony. For further details on the Saxon Promotion Prize for Democracy in Zwickau, it is worth taking a look bachhausen.de.