Participation and Cohesion

Equitible participation is one of the cornerstones of a just and democratic society. Regardless of social background or origin, everyone should have the same opportunities to engage in public life. This principle is anchored in Germany’s constitution and is central to our democratic society.  

Participation means access to fundamental resources – such as information, support networks or financial assistance – that are vital for self-determination and upward mobility. Participation also fosters connection: people who are actively engaged in society develop a sense of belonging and mutual responsibility. Conversely, unequal access to resources and opportunities leads to tension and social division.  

Even though equal participation is guaranteed by the constitution, significant inequalities persist in our society. Structural socio-economic factors often determine people’s access to employment, income, networks, healthcare and housing. Certain communities are affected by multiple layers of disadvantages and social inequality. 

We aim to increase the equitable participation of socio–economically disadvantaged groups in society. Our funding focuses on participation in local communities and the labour market – areas that can meaningfully and sustainably improve people’s living conditions and socio-economic status.  

• To promote participation at the neighbourhood level, we strengthen the social infrastructure where people live, work, shop and socialise. We reduce barriers and strive to ensure equitable access to affordable housing, high-quality neighbourhoods, healthcare and local support networks. 

• We help to ensure that socio-economically disadvantaged individuals, whether they have a migration background or not, have fair opportunities in the labour market. This includes the chance to embark on a career that reflects their skills and interests and good opportunities for further development throughout their working lives. 

When people experience social cohesion, they feel connected to others, develop mutual trust and support one another. This strengthens society’s resilience in times of crisis and change. And yet, more and more people in Germany perceive society as fragmented and unable to engage in constructive dialogue. Especially groups that have historically been marginalised frequently lack social support and trust in society. Their voices often go unheard, and they rarely experience self-efficacy. As a result, they withdraw from public discourse and become increasingly disillusioned about their future. 

At the same time, the prevailing mood also presents an opportunity: despite frustration and mistrust, many people continue to engage with social developments. They observe, question, voice concerns and call for change. This entails considerable potential: disappointment can signal hope – and visible conflict can be the starting point for genuine renewal. 

Our pluralistic society lacks sufficient spaces for constructive engagement with conflicting views – as well as democratic spaces that enable meaningful participation for all. This development deepens social divisions, especially in times of multiple overlapping crises. 

• We encourage dialogue between people from different backgrounds and of different views by supporting innovative formats to bring them together and helping to embed these formats structurally. We also work to raise the political and media profile of community spaces that foster connection and understanding. 

• We support democratic participation by funding research on standards for political inclusion. Moreover, we work to reduce barriers to political engagement and test new forms of participation for those whose voices are underrepresented. 

Our democracy is the foundation of social cohesion, participation and peaceful coexistence. For citizens to trust democratic institutions, the state must be able to act effectively; it must respond to social challenges, provide reliable public services, protect fundamental rights and uphold the rule of law. 

In recent years, however, many citizens have come to see the state – especially at the local level – as less capable and responsive. Confidence in democracy and its institutions is declining. Anti-democratic movements are growing and posing serious threats to the democratic rule of law. 

We want to strengthen the resilience and capacity of core democratic institutions – bolstering public trust in the state and its agencies. To this end, we fund cross-party approaches that stabilise democratic structures and enhance their ability to meet future challenges. 

Our focus lies on institutions that still enjoy relatively high levels of public trust, supporting them in safeguarding and expanding their legitimacy. We concentrate on two areas in particular: institutions responsible for law and public safety – such as the judiciary, police and other emergency services. These bodies have far-reaching authority and play a crucial role in protecting democratic principles, fundamental rights and the rule of law. Our second focus is on local politics and administration, where the state’s ability to act – and earn trust – is felt most directly. 

• We foster institutions of law and public safety by supporting these bodies in embracing a democratic, rights-based ethos and in becoming more resilient to anti-democratic influences. At the same time, we promote fairness within these institutions and help reduce barriers for underrepresented groups. 

• To strengthen local democratic governance, we develop legal and organisational conditions for effective local policymaking. We provide training for local leaders to address contemporary challenges and support collaboration across administrative levels. At the same time, we work to raise the visibility and public recognition of local political engagement.