The black-green state cabinet in North Rhine-Westphalia on Tuesday approved an amendment to the 2026 budget draft, adding investments into the structures of the queer community. The reason given was that the latest tax estimate had provided additional financial room.
“This additional funding is a clear commitment to an open and diverse society,” said the Green party politicians Jule Wenzel and Ilayda Bostancieri in a joint statement. They welcomed that the community has organized more CSDs across the state in recent years. “In a time when there are more and more attacks on CSDs and queer visibility is being questioned, you keep going. We tell you we stand by your side. This way, all CSDs that apply for funding in 2026 can be supported with up to 3,000 euros,” emphasizes Ilayda Bostancieri.
Furthermore, AIDS services in North Rhine-Westphalia would be supported with 391,000 euros more – thus the cuts to AIDS services from last year could be fully reversed, the Greens stated.
As agreed in the coalition agreement, the funds for the state’s Rainbow Families specialist office would also be increased. For its work, the black-green state government is providing 160,000 euros.
