The City of Frankfurt has presented the Neighbourhood Award for the 25th time. Five projects and initiatives were honoured on Tuesday at the Gesellschaftshaus in the Palmengarten. Social Affairs Councillor Elke Voitl (Green Party) praised the commitment of the citizens who, with their ideas, are promoting greater cohesion in the city's neighbourhoods. The prize is endowed with a total of 5,000 euros.
Five winners in the main categories
In the category "Local Culture" category, the award went to the "Rollende Buchcafé" (Rolling Book Café) – a cargo bike that has been bringing children's books and coffee to Gallus since March and inviting the neighbourhood to read together.
The prize for "Living Democracy in the Neighbourhood" went to the "Circus of Diversity" run by the Zarakali circus project in Ginnheim. Around 300 children and young people train there every week, and there are also open activities and a neighbourhood café.
The citizens' initiative "Together against loneliness" was honoured in the category "Neighbours for neighbours". Since 2022, it has been organising regular get-togethers and events for people living alone. In the category "More beautiful, more colourful, more sustainable", the prize went to the association "Radieschen – Helfer mit Herz" (Radishes – Helpers with a Heart), which saves more than 60 tonnes of food from being thrown away every year.u0022>"More beautiful, more colourful, more sustainable", the prize went to the association "Radieschen – Helfer mit Herz" (Radishes – Helpers with a Heart), which saves more than 60 tonnes of food from being thrown away every year and distributes it to those in need.
For "Learning together in the neighbourhood", the project "Auf Deutsch bitte" was honoured. There, retired teacher Dorothea Cyrus-Bill teaches German to women from Fechenheim-Nord in courses that are now attended by participants from several countries of origin.
Anniversary with special prizes
Three special prizes were also awarded on the occasion of the 25th anniversary – to the Heinrich Kiosk, the Zentmarkweg Neighbourhood Festival and the Zeilsheim Women's Breakfast. A total of 52 applications were received this year.
In her speech, Voitl emphasised the social significance of civic engagement: "Democracy is not just about ticking a box every few years. Democracy is when people help shape their city. At a time when many people just shout and make demands, you are the ones who take action."
Diversity of commitment on display
In addition to the main prizes, there were other awards, for example for the children's parliament of the SG Bornheim association, the Riederwald planting group and the senior citizens' coffee club in Harheim. The initiatives ranged from low-threshold language courses and urban gardening to cultural meeting places. According to Voitl, the Neighbourhood Award shows that Frankfurt can build on a vibrant culture of togetherness – supported not only by institutions, but above all by the citizens themselves.
