East Bavarian Firefighters' Prize 2025 Competition Kickoff - Award Purse Reaches €10,000
The Ostbayerischer Feuerwehrpreis is an award designed to celebrate and acknowledge the hard work and dedication of volunteer fire departments in Eastern Bavaria. This year, the award is open for applications, and fire departments that go the extra mile to integrate new members or contribute to the well-being of society are encouraged to participate.
Purpose
The primary objective of the Ostbayerischer Feuerwehrpreis is to recognise and reward volunteer fire departments for their innovative ideas and community engagement. Projects and ideas that focus on membership acquisition will be particularly considered [1][2].
Prize Structure
For the 2025 edition, the award includes monetary prizes for the top three places. The third-place prize is €2,000, while the first and second-place prizes are yet to be specified [2]. The focus is on recognising and financially supporting exceptional projects and ideas that strengthen the role of volunteer fire departments in the region [2].
Application Process
Applications are open to all volunteer fire departments in Eastern Bavaria. The application period runs until September 30, 2025, and interested departments can submit their applications through the website www.ostbayerischer-feuerwehrpreis.de [1][2]. The jury, consisting of notable figures such as Michael Gruber, Nikolaus Höfler, and Jürgen Kohl, will review the submissions [4].
The award is sponsored by Sparda-Bank Ostbayern, which has consistently supported this initiative [3]. The Presidents of the Governments of Lower Bavaria and the Upper Palatinate, Mr. Rainer Haselbeck and Mr. Walter Jonas, have been appointed patrons of the Ostbayerischer Feuerwehrpreis.
The Ostbayerischer Feuerwehrpreis aims to honour the voluntary service of active members of volunteer fire departments and support fire departments in attracting new members and youth [5]. For more information, visit the Ostbayerischer Feuerwehrpreis website at www.ostbayerischer-feuerwehrpreis.de.
In the spirit of the Ostbayerischer Feuerwehrpreis, which aims to honor the voluntary service of fire department members and attract new ones, innovative projects focusing on lifestyle improvements, such as promoting an 'Other' home-and-garden lifestyle through community gardens or workshops, could be considered for the award. If a fire department has envisioned and executed a project that not only serves to strengthen the role of the department but also enhances the well-being of the community, it would be encouraged to submit an application during the period that ends on September 30, 2025, via the website www.ostbayerischer-feuerwehrpreis.de.
