TEILHABE SCHAFFEN 2026 – The Social Startup Pitch of the Fritz Henkel Foundation
Following 2022 and 2024, we once again invited applications in 2026 from projects that promote social participation through cultural and artistic approaches. The jury has now convened and selected eight teams from all submissions, which we will support and coach intensively until the competition. At the final pitch event on 27 October 2026 in Düsseldorf, three winning teams will be awarded. Together with the winner of the community vote and the other finalist teams, they will receive a total of €100,000 in funding.
The programme is based on the belief that cultural education creates access and opens up new spaces for encounter. Particularly for people with migration or refugee experience, it can provide crucial impulses for social participation. However, many initiatives in this field face limitations, as a lack of visibility and funding restricts their growth. The Social Startup Pitch addresses precisely this gap, supporting impactful projects as they move to the next stage of development.
THE 8 FINALIST TEAMS
AKA NYX
AKA NYX is a theatre collective active since 2003 that develops projects with communities from minority and migrant backgrounds. Based on interviews, scenes and monologues are co-created by community performers and professionals, fostering spaces for cultural visibility, self-expression and participation.
Stories from the Beauty Parlor
This project uses beauty salons in Germany and internationally as spaces for feminist exchange. Through podcasts, book clubs and fundraisers, women with migration backgrounds share their stories, linking self-care with political community action.
Deschoolonize e.V.
Deschoolonize works in Berlin to promote a non-discriminatory education system. At its pilot site, the May-Ayim School, students and teachers co-create new content on colonial history (the study of historical colonial systems) and anti-racism – as a model for nationwide school development.
GROUND
GROUND is a hip-hop dance project for primary schools that combines movement with violence prevention. During project weeks, children build confidence, resilience and a sense of community – especially those with refugee or migration experience. The aim is national implementation.
Masterpiece for Good
This project develops participatory public art initiatives. Diverse groups collaboratively create art installations addressing social issues, such as the “Pink Silence” project on violence. In doing so, lived experiences become visible and public dialogue is encouraged.
Paper Lantern Collective
In Chemnitz, the collective is building a community music programme. In the INPEOS street band, young people with migration backgrounds make music together and experience self-efficacy. Music becomes a unifying, co-creative process within the city.
Villa Wertvoll
In Magdeburg, Villa Wertvoll offers creative spaces for children and young people. Free workshops lead to theatre productions and other formats, supported by professional staff. The project strengthens self-worth, participation and future perspectives.
Freies Radio Wüste Welle
This independent radio station enables people with refugee and migration experience to produce their own media. Through broadcasts, podcasts and camps, participants gain journalistic skills and bring diverse perspectives into the public sphere – multilingual and participatory.
HOW WE SUPPORT THE TEAMS
| 1st Prize | 2nd Prize | 3rd Prize | Community Award |
| 35.000 € | 20.000 € | 10.000 € | 10.000 € |
|---|
1st Prize: 35.000 €
2nd Prize: 20.000 €
3rd Prize: 10.000 €
Community Award: 10.000 €
Teams ranked 4th to 8th each receive €5,000. Regardless of placement, all eight finalist teams benefit from tailored coaching, access to a social impact online learning platform, and increased visibility through media coverage. They also receive professional input and opportunities for exchange in structured peer-to-peer formats.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Following the intensive programme phase, the eight finalists will present their projects at the pitch event on 27 October 2026 in Düsseldorf. A total of €100,000 in prize money will be awarded.
In addition to the three jury prizes, a community award will be decided via online voting. Teams that do not receive one of the four main awards will still be granted €5,000 each to further develop their work.
THE HIGH-CALIBRE JURY OF THE PITCH
Thorsten Jahnke Managing Director and Co-founder of Social Impact gGmbH
Sylvie Nicol Member of the Executive Board of Henkel and the Fritz Henkel Foundation
Reza Solhi Expert in cultural education, founder of Demokratie Lautstark
Cornelia Röper Managing Director and founder of Wefugees gUG, expert in start-ups and migration
Andreas Rickert Member of the Executive Board and Co-founder of Phineo gAG
By the way: In our impact report for the 2024 programme year, we show which developments ‘Creating Participation’ has specifically initiated. We provide insight into the progress made by the teams we support, the target groups reached, the partnerships gained and the key learnings from the coaching and pitch phase. The report highlights the impact of the combination of financial support, training and networking – and the insights we have gained for the next round.