Following the termination of its framework agreement by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Lambda e.V., the youth network, is receiving broad support from civil society. In the meantime, 198 organizations have signed the open letter from the national queer youth association and have spoken out in favor of preserving its work. The funding cut was announced in mid-July (TheColu.mn reported); Minister Karin Prien (CDU) justified it with “the necessary budget consolidation” (TheColu.mn reported).
Among the supporters of the network are youth associations, regional youth councils, welfare organizations, queer organizations, and other civil-society actors. Together they are urging Prien to withdraw the termination of the framework agreement and to continue providing financial support for the work. “The broad support shows that this is not just about the Lambda youth network. It is about the question of whether young queer people will still have a nationwide voice, safe spaces, and reliable structures for self-organization in the future,” explains the national board.
Direct link | An introductory video from last year
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Also, the membership numbers of the Lambda youth network have clearly risen: more than 600 new membership applications have arrived at the association since the termination became known.
The broad support strengthens Lambda in the ongoing talks with the federal ministry, but a concrete funding perspective for financing the work from 2027 onward has not yet been presented. According to Lambda, a project funding was put on the table; after presenting an initial substantive concept, the association has not yet received feedback with concrete information about the subsequent process or timeline. “For Lambda, it is currently unclear when a decision can be expected, nor how realistic actual project funding is.”
“Possible project funding cannot replace a framework funding,” the association emphasizes. “Youth organization work consists not only of individual projects but requires stable base funding.” A framework funding secures the structure that makes projects possible in the first place. Without viable financing, the 1990-launched project would have to end its offerings by the end of the year.
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“We are currently fighting with all our might to ensure that Lambda can still be there for queer young people in 2027,” says the board. “Our services give young people support and can save lives in serious situations. We can achieve this only with broad support.” You can find information about how to support on the website lambda-online.de/lambda-retten.
