Potsdam honors BarriereBusters: Inclusion for all becomes a reality!

Potsdam honors BarriereBusters: Inclusion for all becomes a reality!

The eagerly awaited Inclusion Award ceremony recently took place in the heart of Potsdam. For the second time under the motto “Today awarded – tomorrow of course!” Initiatives that promote accessibility and participation were recognized. Mayor Noosha Aubel and other high-ranking representatives welcomed the numerous guests.

Among the 15 projects that applied for the inclusion award, the Potsdam Community Foundation's BarriereBusters project particularly stood out. This commitment, which has been actively raising awareness of accessibility since 2024, received the main prize. The BarriereBusters not only created the digital map “Barrier-free in Potsdam”, but also launched the Barrier Challenge 2025, in which over 180 people took part. A strong sign of how commitment and community work can make our city more livable.

Second and third prize

The jury was spoiled for choice because the other projects were also convincing. Second place went to Wortkarussell, a creative writing group in the House of Encounters that has been providing a barrier-free space for all age groups since 1990. Third place was awarded to the Inclusion regulars' table, which has been bringing people from different areas together for 15 years and promoting open exchange. Dr. Tina Denninger, representative for people with disabilities, emphasized the diversity and creativity of the award-winning projects. A special prize was also awarded to the Acceptance Festival of the individual case help manufaktur e.V., which attracted over 12,000 visitors in 2025 and presented inclusive offers.

The total amount of the inclusion prize is 3,000 euros and was awarded for the first time in 2022. The aim is to make commitment visible and to promote inclusion as an integral part of our everyday lives. In addition to the city's inclusion prize, the University of Potsdam's inclusion prize was also awarded, which honors projects that break down barriers in everyday university life. First prize went to the Chair of School Development, followed by Leonie Rath for the production of metal ramps and Gesine Wegner, Jojo Petters and Zsuzsa Pozorski, who submitted innovative suggestions for barrier-free toilet signs and staircases.

Current challenges and developments

But while great steps are being taken towards inclusion in Potsdam, current figures also show the challenges Germany is facing. According to Deutschlandfunk, around 7.9 million people with severe disabilities will be living in Germany at the end of 2023, which corresponds to almost 10% of the population. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities calls for equal participation in society and is a cornerstone of the demands of many organizations. In this sense, inclusion is a central issue that goes far beyond the school sector.

Although more than 60% of teachers believe inclusion is desirable, only 30% believe it can be realistically implemented. This shows the contradiction between well-intentioned intentions and the reality in the education system. In addition, only 50% of outpatient doctor's practices are barrier-free, which makes access to medical care even more difficult for many people with disabilities. A comprehensive reform of the education system and legally anchored accessibility in the private sector are essential to ensure real participation.

Overall, it is to be hoped that the award-winning projects not only provide impetus, but also provide ideas for further initiatives. Just as the Inclusion Prize shows, the future of participation is in our hands - and it starts today.