Brandenburg increases funding for Sorbs/Wends

Brandenburg is increasing its funding for the culture and language of the Sorbs/Wends. The funds for the Foundation for the Sorbian People have increased from 3.9 million euros last year to almost 4.9 million euros this year. This was decided by the Brandenburg cabinet, according to government spokesperson Ines Filohn. By 2030, Brandenburg's funding is to increase to almost 5.5 million euros per year.

The federal government and the states of Brandenburg and Saxony jointly finance the Foundation for the Sorbian People. According to the Brandenburg state government, the agreed increase in funding is to be signed in the coming weeks. The federal government will then provide half of the funding, Saxony one third and Brandenburg 17 percent.

Brandenburg's Culture Minister Manja Schüle (SPD) considers the funding to be important: "Sorbian/Wendish culture, language and customs are an extraordinary wealth of our country that must be preserved."

Woidke and Kretschmer asked the federal government for support

The Minister Presidents of Brandenburg and Saxony, Dietmar Woidke (SPD) and Michael Kretschmer (CDU), asked Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) last year to support an agreement on joint funding for the foundation for the Sorbian people in Upper and Lower Lusatia. The previous agreement expired at the end of 2025.

The Sorbs/Wends have been living in Lusatia for around 1,500 years. The descendants of Slavic tribes maintain customs and traditions. The federal government and the states of Saxony and Brandenburg support the Foundation for the Sorbian People.