Call for applications for the 2024 Helene Weber Award

Are you, or do you know, a local politician with outstanding commitment to civil society and gender equality? Local politicians can be nominated for the award by members of the German Bundestag until July 7, 2023.

The Helene Weber Prize is entering a new round: It recognizes and empowers volunteer local elected officials who demonstrate outstanding commitment to politics, civil society, women's issues, and gender equality, who advocate for the next generation of local politicians and diversity in local government, and who serve as role models for potential local politicians. It is the only nationwide, cross-party award for local female politicians and is presented by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs. Candidates are nominated by members of the Bundestag and selected by a cross-party jury. The winners receive prize money for activities in their municipalities, as well as training and support in building their networks.

Target group for the Helene Weber Prize

The 2024 Helene Weber Prize is aimed at all individuals who identify as women and feel addressed by the focus of the award. To reflect and strengthen the diversity of our society in (local) politics, we explicitly encourage women with diverse backgrounds and identities to apply.

Prize money and support package

• The 15 winners will be honored at a celebratory award ceremony in Berlin in March 2024 and will subsequently receive a personal support package:
• a networking weekend with the 2024 winners in Berlin in March 2024
• a networking meeting for all winners, expected to take place in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in autumn 2024
• participation in exclusive online networking and exchange formats with high-profile speakers
• prize money for local political activities in their home municipality

Application process

The award is open to candidates nationwide and is non-partisan. The right to nominate lies exclusively with members of the German Bundestag. Each member of the German Bundestag may nominate one local elected official for the HWP.

Typically, members of the Bundestag approach a candidate and send them the application form. However, local elected officials can also take the initiative to approach members of the Bundestag and request a nomination for the 2024 Helene Weber Award. Members of the German Bundestag may also nominate local politicians from parties other than their own, independent candidates, or candidates from local voter groups.

Chaired by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ), an independent jury consisting of representatives from democratic political foundations, the German Women's Council, municipal associations, and members of the Helene Weber Network will democratically select the 15 award winners. The selection is based on the application form as well as the reference and recommendation letters, according to the following criteria:

• Scope of political involvement
• Scope of civil society involvement
• Special achievements in local politics
• Scope and quality of involvement in women's and equality policy
• Contribution to fostering new talent in local politics
• Contribution to promoting diversity in local politics
• Role model function: Personal impact and contribution to the Helene Weber College

Application process

• Complete the application form.
  Forward the reference letter template, including the data protection information, to your referee and attach it to the application form.
• Email the completed application form and the reference letter to the Member of the German Bundestag who wishes to nominate you for the Helene Weber Award. The Member will then forward your application form and reference letter, along with the letter of recommendation and the nomination form they prepare themselves, to the Helene Weber Award office c/o EAF Berlin.
• The application period ends on July 7, 2023.

You can find all information and application documents on the Helene Weber Kolleg website