In a ceremony held in Berlin on Thursday, the Nebenan.de Foundation honoured 22 outstanding community projects that embody exceptional local engagement.
Christmas is approaching. Lights sparkle everywhere, 'Last Christmas' plays on the radio, and anticipation fills the air. For many, Christmas means family, friends and a big celebration. But not for everyone. For those without family or close social contacts, this time can be marked by loneliness.
"No one should be alone at Christmas. Loneliness is especially noticeable at Christmas because expectations, memories and traditions all come together. But it is also at this time that the power of community becomes clear. That is why I hope that Christmas will be not only loud and colourful, but also warm, open and humane. Perhaps that starts right on our doorstep.”
Katharina Roth, Managing Director of the nebenan.de Foundation
The initiative 'Wir Weihnachten' emerged from precisely this idea: we want to bring people together. Via an interactive map of Germany, interested individuals can find or enter activities—from shared meals and Christmas carol singing to Christmas Eve get-togethers.
"With 'Wir Weihnachten', the foundation, in collaboration with nebenan.de, wants to demonstrate that closeness and togetherness can arise right next door if someone is willing to open a door," explains Katharina. This year, the foundation is pleased to see that 2,200 Christmas activities have been entered on the campaign map by individuals and organisations who are engaged in volunteering. "This shows how much neighbourhood engagement there is across Germany, with people investing their time and passion in strengthening the cohesion of our society."
Katharina Roth believes that community grows from reliability and small repeated gestures: "Greeting one another, helping each other, showing interest and proactively offering help." This continuity, she says, makes the difference.
Roth recalls that it is especially moving when people share that an activity or an invitation showed them that they are not alone. "In those moments, it becomes particularly clear why our engagement is important."
These small miracles of community also occur in her neighbourhood: 'We neighbours help each other in everyday life, even with small things like eggs or flour for a cake.' These small gestures are often the first step that one can build on at the next encounter. 'It’s simply wonderful to realise that we don’t just live next to each other — we live with each other.'
However, not everyone finds it easy to approach strangers. Katharina Roth says, "The first step is to walk through the neighbourhood with a positive attitude. A friendly hello, a smile and a short chat in the stairwell can make all the difference.” Of course, you can also proactively take homemade cookies over to start a conversation or simply introduce yourself to new neighbours who have recently moved in.
Everyone can take part, not just at Christmas. Every small gesture counts.
Together, we can ensure that no one is left alone.
More information at: www.wirweihnachten.de
Please note that the video shows excerpts from the festive evening organised by the foundation for its first campaign, 'Wir Weihnachten – Together Against Loneliness', in 2023.
