Commission approves €5 million fund allocation for the project.
In the Ludwigsburg district of Germany, a savings package has been implemented, resulting in significant cuts to the social sector. This package, aimed at securing the district's budget for 2026, will impact various welfare associations, including the children's protection association for refugee children, the Diakonie counseling center, Caritas, Pro Family counseling center for pregnancy and parenthood, and the specialist center for eating disorders operated by the Caritas. The total reduction for these affected associations is estimated to be around 57,700 euros.
Marc Dressel, spokesman for the league of free welfare organizations, acknowledges the district's financial predicament but criticizes the lack of funding provided by both the state and federal levels for delegated tasks. Meanwhile, the association Tragwerk, which advocates for inclusion and participation, is grateful for a potential solution involving the Breyer foundation for funding in 2027. However, the association is concerned about its future after 2027, as important aspects of inclusion work like Cafe L'ink are at risk.
Individual advisory services, such as debt counseling and addiction support, which were initially set to have their funding significantly reduced, are now being reconsidered. The importance of these services is often not immediately apparent to outsiders, but their impact can be felt in various areas, such as job centers, emergency housing assistance, and social services.
A recent study from the addiction counseling sector shows that an invested euro in addiction counseling prevents 17 euros in follow-up costs for society as a whole. The works council in the Ludwigsburg district administration has warned the district administration leadership about the consequences of overload due to the planned reduction in personnel.
Silke Rapp, board member of Tragwerk, expresses disappointment that inclusion is on the chopping block in many places, as it is a human right and affects everyone. The affected associations are committed to ensuring that the core of the social infrastructure is not cut.
For the most precise and up-to-date data on Ludwigsburg’s social association funding status and its operational impact, it is recommended to consult official Ludwigsburg district government publications, local social service department reports, or contact representative umbrella organizations of social associations in the region.
- In light of the financial challenges faced by the Ludwigsburg district, the league of free welfare organizations, led by Marc Dressel, has voiced criticism towards the lack of state and federal funding for delegated tasks in the industry, finance, and business sectors, as well as education and self-development.
- Prioritizing the long-term impact of inclusion and participation, the association Tragwerk is seeking funding from the Breyer foundation for 2027, expressing concerns about the future beyond that year, particularly for initiatives like Cafe L'ink in the entertainment and social-media spaces.
- Acknowledging the valuable role individual advisory services play in both the immediate and distant future, the works council in the Ludwigsburg district administration is advising caution regarding the planned reduction in personnel, highlighting the potential consequences for job centers, emergency housing assistance, and social services within the welfare sector.
