social_policy

German Social Prize 2027 Call Closes Oct. 15, €25,000 at Stake

Berlin – September 11, 2026 -- The Federal Association of Non-Statutory Welfare Care (BAGFW) has opened submissions for the Deutscher Sozialpreis 2027, a journalism award worth €25,000 in total prize money, with entries due by October 15, 2026.

BAGFW seeks reporting that moves beyond routine social-policy coverage

The prize rewards journalistic work that examines social issues with depth, context and public relevance, according to BAGFW, the umbrella body representing Germany's top welfare associations. Submissions must go beyond standard news coverage to make social challenges visible and contribute to informed public debate.

NGO Warns AfD's Saxony-Anhalt Win Threatens Healthcare Access

Munich – – September 09, 2026 -- Medical relief organization Ärzte der Welt has warned that the AfD's election victory in Saxony-Anhalt could jeopardize healthcare access for vulnerable populations across Germany, citing risks to uninsured patients, refugee families and homeless individuals.

AfD's potential Bundesrat entry raises funding risks for uninsured care

Ärzte der Welt Director Katri Bertram said that if the AfD takes over the state government and enters the Bundesrat, it could endanger patient health in Magdeburg and nationwide. She specifically flagged risks to families fleeing war zones, homeless people and those in poverty, warning that increased exclusion could worsen population-wide health outcomes, including unchecked infectious diseases.

14 German Welfare Groups Warn Against 2027 Social Budget Cuts

Berlin – September 09, 2026 -- A coalition of 14 German welfare, union and environmental organizations has issued a joint appeal to the Bundestag during its budget week, demanding sufficient funding for core social policy tasks in the 2027 federal budget.

Coalition flags cuts to pension and health insurance subsidies

The Sozialstaatsbündnis, which includes Sozialverband VdK Deutschland, DGB, ver.di, IG Metall, Caritas, AWO, Diakonie, Volkssolidarität, Deutscher Mieterbund, Der Paritätische, BUND, ZWST, ASB and SoVD, said planned reductions in federal subsidies to pension and health insurance systems risk weakening social security frameworks during a period of economic uncertainty.