The "Young Lusatia" network is committed to supporting young politicians who want to stand in the upcoming local elections in Brandenburg and Saxony. Committed people with ideas can apply for a scholarship of up to 2000 euros. Funding is available for young candidates who will be running for a party, for a list or without a party.
According to network member Lars Katzmarek, they must convince a three-person jury and explain why they are running and what their goals are for the next five years. The grant money can be used for travel and living expenses or for campaign formats, among other things. In recent weeks, the jury has held application rounds in Cottbus and Görlitz. Next week, there will be a round in Hoyerswerda.
In the presentation rounds, the young politicians present their ideas for financial support, as Katzmarek told the German Press Agency. The events so far have been well attended. For a concrete number of applicants for the so-called booster scholarship, final events are still to be held.
Applicants for the scholarship must see structural change as an opportunity
For a scholarship, candidates must adhere to the network's value compass, emphasizes Katzmarek. A commitment to the free democratic basic order and the Basic Law is the first prerequisite. Candidates should also see structural change as an opportunity and have a non-partisan mindset.
Katzmarek works for the energy company Leag and is also a musician. The 31-year-old raps for structural change. Among other things, his songs are about the region's hope for future opportunities.
Like his fellow members of the initiative, he sees Lusatia facing huge changes and therefore also important decisions about the direction in which the region will develop. "We can't afford to only talk about people and parties in the local election campaign instead of the issues that are now relevant for the region," he and the initiative, which now has up to 60 members, say.
Shisha consultation - a different kind of election campaign
The network wants to use the grants to fund innovative election campaign and information services - such as formats like a shisha consultation or an event with an influencer. Election campaigns should also take place where the young voters are, according to the "Young Lusatia" stakeholders.
The Lusatian network is a non-partisan association of young people between the ages of 14 and 35 who want to campaign for the future of their home region. To this end, they have developed ideas for specific structural change projects and the necessary political framework conditions for young people.
Lusatian network pushes for concrete projects
The initiative proposes, among other things, a training campus near the existing campus of the Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) and advocates an e-sports performance center and a hyperloop test track as well as projects for Lusatia as an energy region of the future. At least one of these topics should feature prominently in the candidates' election campaigns, explains Katzmarek. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, a good pilot project may also be eligible for funding, for example from the Just Transition Fund (JTF).
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