The 2026 Integration Award from the State Capital of Düsseldorf
The 2026 Integration Award from the City of Düsseldorf, in partnership with the Lions Club Düsseldorf-Carlstadt, was presented for the ninth time
On the first weekend in July, Germany revealed its contrasts:
While radical forces prevailed at the far-right party convention in Erfurt, Düsseldorf celebrated cultural diversity at the France Festival, Die Toten Hosen played to thousands of people at the Arena—and in the foyer of the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus, awards were presented to people who volunteer day in and day out to promote democracy, diversity, and social cohesion.
Among the guests was a representative of the board of Haus der Kulturen e.V. in Düsseldorf. His participation followed the opening of the new facilities just a few days earlier. With the Haus der Kulturen, Düsseldorf has gained a new venue that brings people together regardless of their background, fosters social participation, and creates space for interaction, culture, and shared engagement—an encouraging sign for a diverse and democratic urban community and business sector.
Miriam Koch, the state capital’s deputy mayor for culture, integration, and health, addressed this simultaneity in her laudatory speech, with a nod to Erfurt, and—just as Die Toten Hosen had done the night before at their concert—quoted from the song “Schrei nach Liebe” by Die Ärzte, a musical statement against right-wing extremism and intolerance.
“Cohesion Through Action! Commitment to Democratic Coexistence”—guided by this motto, the 2026 Integration Award highlighted how democracy takes shape in everyday life: through people who take responsibility, build bridges, and make a long-term commitment to their neighborhoods.
With the Integration Award, the City of Düsseldorf and the Lions Club Düsseldorf-Carlstadt are honoring, for the ninth time, volunteer initiatives that actively promote social participation, equal opportunity, and democratic cohesion. This year’s recipients were the Sonnenstraße Family Elementary School Center, the Schule am Eller Forst, “JumPeers” from Diakonie Düsseldorf, “XChange” from AVP e.V., and “resis.dance” from zakk.
As diverse as these projects may be, they are united by a common principle: they create spaces where people can come together, build trust, and take on social responsibility. Democracy flourishes where participation is possible and diversity is experienced as a shared strength.
The fact that the awards ceremony was deliberately designed as a place for people to come together impressively underscored this idea. In addition to honoring volunteerism, it provided an opportunity for exchange, getting to know one another, and networking—key prerequisites for our open urban society. Organized by the Municipal Integration Center in collaboration with Stadtkollektiv|Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus.
Further information on the award-winning projects is available in the press release from the City of Düsseldorf regarding the 2026 Integration Award.