"Family-friendliness can be felt and experienced in many places and in a number of ways in Leipzig. It’s not always about big projects. Civic participation in everyday life also enriches our city. With the Family Friendly Awards, we want to present the diversity of what Leipzig has to offer and encourage people to get involved,” outlines the Mayor, Thomas Fabian. "This year we have a particular focus on the environment. With a special award for the environment and family, we want to recognise a project, association, initiative or organisation that works for environmentally friendly causes." Where can families make a positive contribution to the environment in Leipzig? Who can families work with to do something good and support sustainable development?
Last year’s winner, Verein der Freunde und Förderer des Wildparks e.V. is leading by example. The 2,000 euros of prize money was used for new visual materials. "We are delighted that our work has been recognised with this award. Among other things, we have purchased a new analysis kit and tablets, which allow us to listen to animal sounds for instance,” said Ralf Herrmann, a board member at the association.
Submit nominations
The mayor will present the winners with their awards in May of this year. A jury will first evaluate the nominations received and visit the favourites. The children’s jury will assess first-hand the family friendliness of the nominations.
Nominations can be submitted from 17 January to 22 February 2020:
online at www.leipzig.de/familienfreundlichkeitspreis
or by email to familienfreundlichkeitspreis@leipzig.de
Long-standing sponsors and patrons
The Leipziger Gruppe is a long-standing partner of the Family Friendly Awards. "Making Leipzig a little bit better each day is part of the identity of our companies Leipziger Stadtwerke, Verkehrsbetriebe and Wasserwerke. And quality of life also means: family friendliness. As employers, we strive for a good balance between family and working life because we want to attract the employees of today and tomorrow. And because the dialogue on family friendliness is important to us, this year we are delighted to again be supporting the Family Friendly Awards as the main sponsor,” explained Michael M. Theis, Spokesperson of the Management Board at Leipziger Gruppe.
The involvement of BMW Group Plant Leipzig demonstrates how relevant the issue of the environment is to all sectors. "This year, we have made a conscious decision to sponsor the special prize for the environment and family, as family friendliness and environmental sustainability are both very important to us at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig," said Dirk Wottgen, HR Manager BMW Leipzig.
The Family Friendly Awards already has two long-standing partners participating in Leipziger Messe and Sparkasse Leipzig. “We see ourselves as a family-friendly company. That’s why we’re supporting the City of Leipzig’s Family Friendly Awards,” said Berit Melle, Head of Communications at Messe Leipzig.
Sparkasse Leipzig has been certified as a family-friendly employer since 2012 according to the audit berufundfamilie and has shown great commitment to establishing a family-oriented environment for its employees. The bank wholeheartedly supports initiatives that promote and strengthen the role of families, such as the City of Leipzig’s Family Friendly Awards.