Rahel Straus Prize & Rahel Straus Youth Prize

Since 2019, the Rahel Straus Prize and the Rahel Straus Youth Prize have honored outstanding voluntary remembrance work in Baden-Württemberg. Individuals and groups who, in the spirit of Gegen Vergessen – Für Demokratie e. V., are committed to a diverse democratic coexistence can apply themselves or be nominated by third parties. Each endowed with €1,000, the awards recognize sustainable projects in the fields of social affairs, education, culture, labor & social issues, as well as engagement for social cohesion and democracy. Youth initiatives that conduct remembrance work with young people and promote democratic values are also specially honored within the framework of the Rahel Straus Youth Prize.

The jury, consisting of members of the Baden-Württemberg State Working Group within the association Gegen Vergessen – Für Demokratie e. V. as well as representatives of the Berthold Leibinger Foundation, evaluates the quality of the submitted project documents, the contribution to the transmission of democratic values, and the commitment of the applicants. Self-applications and nominations can be submitted via the official application form until February 15, 2026; among other things, work samples, publications, websites, and newspaper articles must be submitted as PDF files. The announcement of the awardees will take place in spring, and the award ceremony will be coordinated together with cooperation partners. In this way, the award contributes in the long term to strengthening the culture of remembrance and a vibrant democratic coexistence in Baden-Württemberg.