24th Chemnitz Peace Prize announced

Nominations for the 2027 Chemnitz Peace Prize can be submitted until 5 January 2027. All residents of Chemnitz, as well as local organisations and initiatives, are invited to nominate suitable individuals and projects. Self-nominations are also accepted.

The Chemnitz Peace Prize is a civil society award in which the city’s residents select the winners from amongst themselves. It honours individuals, organisations, projects and initiatives that, on a voluntary and sustainable basis,

advocate for fundamental values such as tolerance and democracy,
who regard the integration of different cultures as an essential part of living together,
who take a stand against all forms of exclusion, xenophobia and racism,
are actively engaged in peace work,
promote and support non-violent coexistence, and
who, through their actions, set an example in the pursuit of peace and justice.

The prize has been awarded since 2004 by the Bürgerverein FUER CHEMNITZ e. V. and the City of Chemnitz’s Migration Commissioner.

Applications and nominations should be sent to:
Bürgerverein FUER CHEMNITZ e. V.,
Straße der Nationen 45,
09111 Chemnitz,
Email: bv-fuer-chemnitz(at)gmx.de or

Migration Officer for the City of Chemnitz,
Moritzhof Citizens’ and Administrative Centre,
Bahnhofstraße 53,
09111 Chemnitz,
Email: migrationsbeauftragte(at)stadt-chemnitz.de.

Proposals and applications should include a statement explaining why the proposed individual or project is being nominated for the Chemnitz Peace Prize.

The jury responsible for selecting the winners comprises prominent figures from the worlds of politics, civil society, the church, culture and business. It reviews the submitted proposals, visits the projects, deliberates on the nominations and decides on the prize winners.
The first prize is worth 500 euros, the second 300 euros and the third 200 euros. The Children’s and Youth Prize carries a prize of 300 euros. The first prize, as well as the Honorary Prize – which is awarded only occasionally – are additionally honoured with the ‘Chemnitz Peace Prize’ sculpture by the sculptor Erik Neukirchner.

Award Ceremony

The award ceremony will take place on 3 March 2027 at the Town Hall, as part of the Chemnitz Peace Day celebrations, which is commemorated annually on 5 March in Chemnitz to mark the inhuman, hostile policies of fascist Germany, the victims of the war it unleashed, and the destruction of the city of Chemnitz in 1945. On 5 March and the days leading up to and following it, there are many opportunities for remembrance, for reflection and for further contemplation on war and peace. The focus is on revitalising the idea of peace, motivating people of all generations in our city to engage in active peace work, and addressing these issues in a culturally sensitive manner.

The Chemnitz Peace Prize aims to build on this, to highlight commitment to peace and to encourage greater engagement in peace-building.

A look back at previous winners: