The federal government wants to continue to financially support the NSU documentation center "Offener Prozess" in Chemnitz in 2026. According to the Saxon Ministry of Social Affairs, the federal government will provide 1.2 million euros next year for the Chemnitz center and other decentralized remembrance and reappraisal initiatives. The Bundestag decided this with the budget resolution for 2026.
"The Bundestag's decision is a great success for Saxon civil society," said Social Affairs Minister Petra Köpping (SPD). The project team had achieved a "nationwide unprecedented success despite many adversities". The center provides valuable educational work in close contact with those affected by the NSU complex, which has been well received and should be continued. Köpping is pleased that this work will now also be further supported at federal level.
Capital of Culture as a springboard for nationwide recognition
The "Open Process" was opened as part of the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025. The pilot phase in 2024 and 2025 was funded by the Free State of Saxony and the federal government with around two million euros each. Since the opening on May 25, 2025, around 14,000 visitors have been counted, it was reported. More than 200 guided tours with a total of over 2,000 participants as well as more than 50 events and numerous workshops have been offered.
In order to continue the work, the Saxon state parliament has once again earmarked around two million euros in the 2026 double budget. The civil society consortium behind the project also founded a gGmbH to put the operation on a permanent footing.
Foundation in planning
A supporting foundation for the documentation center is to be created by federal law in the course of 2026, according to the ministry. It is part of a planned multi-site concept that is intended to take into account the decentralized nature of the NSU complex. Chemnitz is to be the first nationwide NSU documentation center to be integrated into the foundation and permanently financed by the federal, state and local governments.
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