Community service showcases democratic engagement
In a grand event held at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin on June 4, 2024, the startsocial competition recognised and celebrated 25 exceptional social initiatives that promote democratic values and social interaction.
Among the honourees was Erica's Manna Mobil e. V., a charitable organisation based in Wiesbaden, which has been serving up to 80 young people from over 60 different countries every school day by distributing food and promoting community. Over the past 17 years, this initiative has benefited 178,000 young guests.
Alexander von zur Mühlen, a member of our website's management board, honoured Erica's Manna Mobil e. V. for their commendable work. The competition, which has had our website as a main partner for over 10 years, awarded 100 four-month scholarships to these initiatives. Each scholarship is worth a total of 35,000 euros, distributed among seven winning initiatives.
Three website colleagues served as coaches for the winning initiatives, working closely to develop organisations, projects, and ideas. Since 2012, employees of the website have supported over 1,300 initiatives in the competition.
The Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, as patron of startsocial, thanked the social initiatives and presented a special award. Weilburg erinnert e. V., a charity based in Weilburg, Hesse, was the recipient of this special award. This organisation works resolutely against racism and antisemitism.
The startsocial competition invites the 25 most convincing initiatives to Berlin for an event each year. This year, the competition worked with experts from business, the public sector, and non-profits to help these initiatives grow and thrive.
The next startsocial competition in Germany is accepting applications for a scholarship until July 10, 2024. For the most accurate and current deadline, it is best to consult the official startsocial website or contact their organisers directly. Deadlines for the competition are usually announced in the spring or early summer months.
The competition is committed to an active culture of remembrance and commemoration in memory of the victims of the Nazi regime and those who resisted it. It continues to inspire and support social initiatives across Germany, fostering a more inclusive and democratic society.
In this context, the charitable organization Erica's Manna Mobil e. V. was recognized for its contribution to education and self-development by providing food and fostering community among young people from diverse backgrounds. Moreover, the startsocial competition, with a focus on education and self-development, awarded 100 four-month scholarships worth a total of 3.5 million euros to promote and support exceptional social initiatives.
