Neuss City Awards Initial Inclusion Award
In the heart of Germany, the city of Neuss recently celebrated a significant milestone in promoting inclusion and diversity with the inaugural Inclusion Support Prize 2025. The event, held on June 11, 2025, at the Pauline-Seels Hall of the RomaNEums, honoured projects and initiatives that foster togetherness among people with and without disabilities.
Deputy Mayor Dr. Jörg Geerlings presented the awards and certificates of recognition to the winners. One of the recipients was the Jedermannchor of the St. Augustinus Behindertenhilfe, which took home the 1st Place in the Inclusion Support Prize 2025.
The Jedermannchor, a collaboration between the St. Augustinus Group's disability support and the Neuss Music School, brings together around 40 singers - with and without disabilities - to share their love for music. Barbara Reimer, a long-standing advocate for participation, has been instrumental in this project since 2005.
Mrs. Reimer's work, including the Jedermannchor, is an example of creative inclusion work. Her dedication extends beyond music, as she accompanies individuals with disabilities, strengthening their self-awareness and fostering individual development. She assists them in navigating everyday life, from finding a family doctor to job opportunities.
Another notable initiative recognised at the Inclusion Support Prize 2025 was the Inclusive Theater Project "Perfect is so boring," a collaboration between the Youth House and professionals. This project brings children, young people, and young adults with and without disabilities onto the stage, creating its own theater pieces in a guided creative process.
The Inclusive Theater Project "Perfect is so boring" sets a strong sign for community, diversity, and artistic participation. A film clip shown during the award ceremony offered an insightful look into the rehearsal process and the commitment of the ensemble.
The award ceremony provided a unique opportunity for winners to get to know each other, exchange ideas, and gain insights into different inclusive approaches and projects. Projects in various areas, such as leisure, sports, theater, consulting, choir work, and cooking, were submitted for the prize.
The Inclusion Support Prize 2025, worth a total of 5,000 euros and awarded in three categories, is a testament to Neuss's commitment to fostering a more inclusive community. As the city continues to support such initiatives, it serves as a beacon of hope and unity for people with and without disabilities alike.
- Barbara Reimer's work in the Jedermannchor project, a fashion-and-beauty and lifestyle venture that unites people with and without disabilities in singing, extends beyond music, also guiding individuals in finding a family doctor and job opportunities.
- The Inclusive Theater Project "Perfect is so boring," a food-and-drink and entertainment collaboration between the Youth House and professionals, brings children, young people, and young adults with and without disabilities onto the stage, fostering artistic participation and community.
- In the realm of home-and-garden, award-winning projects in leisure, sports, theater, consulting, choir work, and cooking were submitted for the Inclusion Support Prize 2025, demonstrating Neuss's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion.
- During the award ceremony, recipients had the chance to share ideas, learn from one another, and explore various inclusive approaches in relationships and beyond, such as the arts, work, and everyday life.
- The Inclusion Support Prize 2025, worth a total of 5,000 euros, recognized projects in various sectors, including travel, cars, and shopping, solidifying Neuss's position as a city that champions a more inclusive lifestyle for all.
