structural development

Our task force project manager Anja Nixdorf-Munkwitz, a native of Zittau, recently received an important award for her project “Village kitchen from yesterday to tomorrow” from the association “Tradition and Future Zittau eV” / “A basket full of happiness”.

As part of the “ machen!2024 ” competition, her commitment was recognized with prize money of 5,000 euros. This competition, which annually promotes outstanding volunteer work in East Germany, took place this year in Berlin-Köpenick. Over 800 projects submitted showed the impressive range of commitment in the rural regions of Eastern Germany, and Anja Nixdorf-Munkwitz 's work stood out.

“It was wonderful for me to experience how many people from the Lausitz region are committed and creative in developing and implementing ideas. We – Upper Lusatia and Lower Lusatia – were well represented in Berlin. As a task force project manager, I was able to help with some of the ideas when submitting applications. When three out of three projects receive an award, that makes us very happy, for all of us.” In addition to her own initiative, the “Körbchen” (“ A basket full of happiness ”), Anja Nixdorf-Munkwitz also has the “ Zukunft Hirschfelde ” eV for Project “Fire in the old forge” ( we reported ) and the Saxony State Association of Industrial Culture successfully advised on the “Generational Dialogue in Industrial Culture”. More on that here soon!

left: Anja and Thomas Hempel from "Zukunft Hirschfelde" eV with their "Machen!2024" certificates last week in Berlin, right: in conversation with local producers

A basket full of happiness: More than just a project

The “ A Basket of Happiness ” initiative exemplifies the passion and commitment with which Anja shapes her home region. The idea behind the project is to increase awareness of regional food and the associated value chain. It's not just about mere consumption, but about consciously experiencing and enjoying regional products. With her project, Anja managed to bring people from the region together and create a platform for exchange and networking.

However, this initiative is only one aspect of their diverse commitment. Anja Nixdorf-Munkwitz is also known for her support of associations such as “ Slow Food ”, clubs such as Sohland leben eV and platforms such as Marktschwärmer . This long-standing commitment is repeatedly recognized with prizes such as the BBSR , EKU-Idea , Simulplus or, most recently, the “ New Land Winner ” award. Anja explains about the “basket”, her heart project:

“The 'basket' is a we-together project, because regional value creation is a cross-sectional topic between educational work, project development and classic stakeholder support. That's why I maintain good contacts with producers, associations and educational institutions such as the VHS-Dreiländereck or the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. We make best progress when we combine our strengths constructively.”

The award ceremony: An appreciation of the commitment

The awarding of the “machen!2024” prize to Anja Nixdorf-Munkwitz is recognition of her efforts to strengthen the region and thus promote social cohesion. Chancellor Olaf Scholz and State Minister Carsten Schneider, who attended the event in the Alte Försterei, the stadium of 1. FC Union Berlin, emphasized the importance of voluntary work in East Germany. They underlined the role that committed people play in enriching life in rural communities and strengthening social cohesion.

“The “machen!2024” award is a well-deserved recognition of the work and an incentive to continue to actively shape the region,” Anja reports to us beaming. “We think more connectedly in rural areas because we have to. We do not share responsibilities, resorts and strictly along the subject matter. It does something to people when they do something for society and the region. Because I am so interested in what we today call experiences of self-efficacy and culture of commitment, I am researching it. But you can only do that if you are in the middle of it,” she emphasizes and invites you to join in This email address is being protected from spam bots! To display JavaScript must be turned on. a.

Thank you very much for the conversation and your commitment to the region , dear Anja!

And for everyone who has been volunteering for a long time and is already waiting for the deadline to apply for the volunteer budget: the application can be here !

Best regards -

Your Jasna