Germany’s ‘Demokratie leben!’ program now requires stricter compliance and Verfassungsschutz checks for funding eligibility.

Since 2014, the ‘Demokratie leben!’ program has funded initiatives combating extremism, racism, and antisemitism. Federal Family Minister Karin Prien (CDU) has initiated a significant overhaul of the program, introducing stricter guidelines for funding eligibility. Organizations seeking support must now undergo a two-stage review by the Verfassungsschutz, Germany’s domestic intelligence agency. This change aims to ensure compliance and transparency in the allocation of funds.

The program, with a budget of €190 million for 2023, will see the current funding for approximately 200 projects expire at the end of the year. Prien has expressed concerns about the program’s perceived left-leaning bias and aims to support initiatives representing the societal center. New measures include mandatory co-financing, stricter eligibility criteria, and the introduction of a ‘Digital Space’ program to counter online radicalization. Critics have raised concerns about the opacity of the Verfassungsschutz review process, citing past controversies like the denial of awards to bookstores under similar procedures.