This message is also central to us from Buddy Bear Berlin: our commitment to a cosmopolitan and borderless togetherness is at the heart of what we do. We are therefore all the more delighted that founder Klaus Herlitz and Managing Director Viviana Plasil were present at the award ceremony to celebrate the award winners and honour their outstanding work. The event was attended by Barbara Gessler, Head of the European Commission Representation in Berlin, and State Secretary Florian Hauer, who both emphasised the importance of diversity and European engagement in our city.
The winners of the European Blue Bear Award 2024 are:
- Daniel Keifenheim, Chairman of the association SAFeRS e.V.
Keifenheim has been a volunteer in the field of voluntary fire and rescue services for many years. His work has taken him to countries such as Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and Ukraine, where he not only carries out life-saving missions, but also trains others for deployment in other European countries.
- Bettina Schuler, Annette Söhnlein, Andrea Foth, Martina Djukic and Laura Völker from Citizen2be
The Citizen2be team offers free trauma-informative yoga classes for refugees. They are also involved in the Alliance4Ukraine initiative with a mental health programme for Ukrainian families, women, children and young people to help them reintegrate into society.
- Sebastian Leskien, Bruno Weser, Elke Dietrichs, Petra Milz-Höhne, Rolf Breidenbach, Rosemarie Menzel, Kaja Kowalski, Olga Pischel and Gisela Pflug from the Steglitz-Zehlendorf town twinning association.
Since 1987, this association has been organising delegation visits, citizens' trips, youth exchange programmes, solidarity campaigns and cultural events with 20 partner regions. The aim is to break down reservations, familiarise people with new cultures and forge lasting friendships.
- Andreas Streit, Eike Paulun, Grit Bendman, Katharina Borngässer, Margarete Hofmann, Dr Nele Dittmar, Dr Ronald Frank, Lisa Kühn, Anne Roewer, Nina Hansing, Dr Hans Jörg Schrötter and Alessandro Hammerstaedt from the European Neighbourhood Walks team
The fourth award winner was chosen by the audience on the evening of the event. Since 2020, the team has been dedicated to strengthening the European sense of community. With their free walks in ten Berlin districts, they invite people to discover European traces directly in the neighbourhoods and to get into conversation with each other.
The award-winning projects and personalities inspire us to continue working together towards an inclusive, diverse and united society. We would like to congratulate all the award winners and thank them for their valuable contribution to a living Europe in our city.
Together for a strong Europe - in Berlin and beyond!