The ProAlter Foundation aims to honor individuals aged 80 and over who are actively involved in civic life in their later years, strengthen their public recognition, and encourage others to follow their example with a nationwide award for civic engagement. Nominations can be submitted until September 11th.
The 80+ Engagement Award 2026 is an award for civic engagement in old age, presented by the ProAlter Foundation for Self-Determination and Quality of Life in cooperation with the Dr. Jürgen Rembold Foundation for the Promotion of Civic Engagement. The award is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
Why an engagement award for the over-80s?
In the public perception, the civic engagement of people over 80 still plays a subordinate role. They are more likely to be perceived as having reduced capabilities, health problems, and/or limited mobility. These perceptions, which are often inaccurate, frequently lead to younger age groups, and even some very elderly people themselves, having little confidence in the abilities and skills of those over 80.
The ProAlter Foundation aims to honor individuals aged 80 and over with a nationwide award for civic engagement, strengthening their public recognition and inspiring others to follow suit. Civic engagement is not a matter of age!
Who can be nominated for the 80+ Engagement Award?
The 80+ Engagement Award is open to nominations for individuals who will turn 80 this year or are already older and are active in volunteer work. Nominations are also welcome from cooperative groups who predominantly meet the age requirements. Self-nominations are permitted only in exceptional cases.
Volunteer activities should focus on areas such as social welfare, education, promoting democracy, sports, nature and environmental protection, animal welfare, etc. Activities in relevant citizens' initiatives or political advocacy groups can be included. Volunteer activities can be age-specific or intergenerational. Examples of target groups include children, young people, and adults of different ages, as well as people in special circumstances such as the unemployed, refugees, or those with mental health conditions.
How can you submit a nomination for the Engagement Award 80 plus?
Nominations for the 80+ Engagement Award must be submitted digitally. Please send an email to ausschreibung.80plus@kda.de. You will then receive a link to a form for submitting your nomination. A concise description of the nominee's personal commitment, not exceeding 5,000 characters, is expected. You may also send two PDF documents to ausschreibung.g.80plus@kda.de to further explain the commitment.
As an exception, you can also simply send a proposal of up to 5000 characters by email to ausschreibung.80plus@kda.de and attach two PDF documents explaining your commitment: Onboarding Form. If you have any questions, please send an email to ausschreibung.80plus@kda.de or call the team at +49 178 4053 00 1.
The deadline for submissions is September 11, 2026. The date of receipt of the email will be considered.
Examples of civic engagement (selection):
- Supporting people in crisis situations
- Visiting and escort services in the home, in nursing homes or in hospitals
- Conducting courses in sports or other clubs
- Neighborhood help
- Tutoring for pupils and reading sponsorships
- Support for young people entering the workforce and during vocational training
- Support for building social contacts for older people
- Advice on accessibility and safety in the home and living environment
- Organization of cultural participation and other leisure activities
- Help with using digital communication
- Aid for migrants
- Assistance with religious practice
Requirements for the type of engagement
- The commitment is not aimed at material gain.
- Apart from expense allowances, it is done free of charge.
- It has a positive effect for third parties, i.e., it must be oriented towards the common good.
- It is publicly perceived or takes place in public spaces.
What criteria does the jury use to make its decision?
- Neighborhood, local, regional and/or supra-regional impact of the
commitment - Role model for other older people
- Social significance of the area of engagement
- Impact in terms of social cohesion
- Duration of engagement
The winners are selected by a jury comprised of individuals with firsthand experience in civic engagement and experts who address the topic of aging from both academic and practical perspectives. A total of €10,000 in prize money is awarded to highlight the diverse range of civic engagement among those aged 80 and over. The prizes are sponsored by the Dr. Jürgen Rembold Foundation for the Promotion of Civic Engagement.
The award ceremony will take place publicly on December 7, 2026 in Cologne by representatives of the ProAlter Foundation and the Dr. Jürgen Rembold Foundation for Civic Engagement.
