Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, together with Elke Büdenbender, welcomed near 10,000 guests to his Bürgerfest in the park of Schloss Bellevue on 27 August. Due to severe weather warnings, the Federal President had had to cancel the festival on the first day, 26 August.

This year's motto was Committed to making a difference!. Especially the commitment of young people was the focus of the event. Ireland as European partner country and the Free State of Bavaria as partner region provided culinary and cultural highlights.

Open day on Saturday, 27 August

On Saturday 27 August everyone was invited to visit the Federal President's residence at Palace Open Day. Many partners supported the Citizens' Festival. They presented their activities, there was a programme on stage and many activities for young and old throughout the park.

Partners of the Citizens’ Festival

We would like to thank the large number of initiatives, organisations and companies who supported the Federal President’s 2022 Citizens’ Festival with their dedication and creativity.

The following is an alphabetical list of all these partners, their presentations and the activities they offered. The numbers show you where to find them on the map.

Allianz | Kinder Können Kunst fährt nach Berlin (children’s art project)

Allianz will present a children’s art project that it is co-sponsoring with the art association PIN. Freunde der Pinakothek der Moderne. Young visitors can take part in arts and crafts activities with the help of art educators. Moreover, Allianz Kinderhilfsfonds Berlin/Leipzig e.V., a non-profit organisation, will present the projects closest to its heart. Visitors to the Allianz marquee can also meet the artist Jan Kuck, whose installation “Time Matters – WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?” will be exhibited in the park of Schloss Bellevue.
(Map: 15)

Arbeitgeberverband Gesamtmetall e.V. | Your role(s) in Team Future

What does it feel like to work with a robot? Visitors to the stand of the Federation of German Employers’ Associations in the Metal and Electrical Engineering Industries can find out in a fun and interactive way using a collaborative robot and an augmented-reality app. They can assemble a skateboard with wheels of their choice at the stand and in doing so, learn more about Industry 4.0. The metal and electrical engineering industries information truck will enable visitors to experience digital transformation in dual training and show them which professions are involved in producing skateboard wheels.
(Map: 62)

Berlin Arrival Support | We are volunteers!

Berlin Arrival Support is a civil-society collective that helps refugees to access support in a fast and easy way. Since 27 February, the volunteers have guided and supported over 300,000 Ukrainian refugees at the main arrival points in Berlin. During this time, up to 700 volunteers per day have developed and fostered the various forms of support and done more than 160,000 hours of voluntary work. Information about the collective’s activities at the stand can help to spark discussion with visitors about cooperation between civil society and the state.
(Map: 11)

Berliner Sparkasse | BERLIN HAT TALENT

The Berliner Sparkasse bank sponsors the initiative BERLIN HAT TALENT organised by the regional sports confederation and the Berlin Senate. The initiative works in an inclusive way, with the aim of encouraging children to take part in sports. It assesses the motor skills of eight to nine-year-olds and draws up personal recommendations for them on the basis of their test results. At the Citizens’ Festival, young and old alike are welcome to test some of the motor skills assessed by the initiative and to see if they can win a small trophy.
(Map: 44)

Berliner Stadtmission e.V. | Kinder.Akademie

The Berliner Stadtmission will present its new children’s academy. Every hour on the hour, there will be an age-appropriate talk in the marquee on homelessness and poverty. Using easy tasks and games, the city mission will teach children more about these topics in a creative and interactive way in a model of its children’s academy. The aim is to make children aware of these issues from an early age in a non-school environment and to foster empathy and understanding.
(Map: 12)

Bergwacht Bayern & Stiftung Bergwacht | Helping others when needed

Mountain rescue is not only about ensuring patient welfare. It also involves social cohesion and a sense of belonging – the societal foundation of Alpine culture. In Bavaria’s mountain-rescue organisation, voluntary work is a point of honour. Its 3500 volunteers ensure that mountain-rescue services are provided in Bavaria’s Alps and caves. They are also active in disaster prevention and in nature and environment conservation – 24/7, 365 days a year. Visitors to the stand can find out what it feels like to carry a heavy emergency rucksack and learn more about mountain rescue.
(Map: 55)

B. Braun SE | Sharing expertise with Africa

As one of the world’s leading medical technology companies, B. Braun protects and improves people’s health all over the world. In sharing expertise with Africa, the company supports educational projects on our neighbouring continent and strengthens local healthcare systems in cooperation with local people. Mutual knowledge sharing is at the heart of this process. Visitors to the stand can learn more about the various projects and immerse themselves virtually in the day-to-day work of surgical teams.
(Map: 16)

Deutsche Fernsehlotterie gGmbH & Stiftung Deutsches Hilfswerk | Every ticket counts!

Deutsche Fernsehlotterie gGmbH has set itself the task of strengthening solidarity among people in Germany. The non-profit organisation Stiftung Deutsches Hilfswerk supports a wide range of social projects through the sale of lottery tickets. Innovative project ideas can be submitted to the organisation's user-friendly online funding portal. During the Citizens’ Festival, Deutsche Fernsehlotterie gGmbH will explain the main prerequisites for being granted funding and present successful proposals. There will also be a photo booth and a lottery wheel.
(Map: 19)

Deutsche Jugendfeuerwehr im Deutschen Feuerwehrverband e.V. | #jugendfeuerWEhRT

Over 300,000 children and young people nationwide are involved in the German Youth Fire Brigade (DJF). The youth fire brigades and children’s groups ensure the future of the professional fire brigades. Teaching values to young people is a cornerstone of these organisations’ work. The youth fire brigades’ motto #jugendfeuerWEhRT puts the focus on sustainability. Visitors to the stand can see concrete examples of actions that promote sustainable development and find out how old fire hoses can be used.
(Map: 42)

Deutsche Model United Nations e.V. (DMUN) | Promoting political action through civic education

In the non-profit association Deutsche Model United Nations e.V., young adults who are passionate about international politics and the United Nations take part in youth civic education activities. They organise political simulations in which teenagers and young adults simulate a United Nations conference. Visitors can learn about the association’s work and discuss how young people see international politics.
(Map: 64)

Deutsche Postcode Lotterie | Winning together. Helping together.

The social lottery and the non-profit organisation wirmachenwelle e.V. will give all visitors a chance to try out a surfing simulator – and to win a great prize! Since its foundation in 2016, the Deutsche Postcode Lotterie has supported more than 3500 projects with funding of over 115 million euro. The social lottery firmly believes that everyone benefits from strong non-profit organisations.
(Map: 41)

Deutsche Stiftung Organtransplantation (DSO) | Organ donations save lives

As the nationwide coordinating body for organ donation after death, the DSO is also committed to teaching people about this subject. What are the prerequisites for organ donation and how does it work? Why is it so important to make a decision during your lifetime? Films and photos of organ recipients and donor families will enable visitors to share in the personal stories of people whose lives have been changed by an organ donation.
(Map: 10)

Ecosystem Value Association | The climate forest of the future

The Ecosystem Value Association (EVA) believes in a future in which people once again live in harmony with nature and within the limits of what our planet can sustainably provide. To make nature conservation worthwhile for everyone, EVA’s goal is to translate ecosystem services into value. In the forest-climate standard, EVA is developing a solution to preserve German forests and the role they play in protecting the climate. In the Klimawald der Zukunft (Climate Forest of the Future), EVA uses Schloss Bellevue park to illustrate what the forest ecosystem does for the climate and invites visitors to a virtual forest visit.
(Map: 35)

Engagement Global | Schools development-policy competition

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is the sponsor of the schools development-policy competition, Alle für EINE Welt – EINE Welt für Alle. The Federal President is the patron of the competition, which is run by Engagement Global. The competition and the song contest Dein Song für EINE WELT! it organises aim to raise awareness of global issues and challenges among young people and to encourage them to become active in these fields. The stand will present winners of the school competition. Visitors can also learn about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) at the large Africa puzzle shown as a Gall–Peters projection map or via the SDG wheel of fortune and the quiz that goes with it.
(Map: 66)

FOSSGIS e.V. | Access for all to geo-data

The association FOSSGIS e.V. promotes free geo-data and software and helps people, public authorities, companies and educational institutions with their use and with knowledge transfer. FOSSGIS e.V. supports the German section of the international OpenStreetMap project (OSM) ‒ a free map of the world, for which volunteers gather data on roads, railways, rivers, forests etc. Using free software, this data can then be developed into a map. FOSSGIS e.V. will show how such data can also be used for navigation systems, which other options are offered by free software and how to take part in the OSM project.
(Map: 36)

Free State of Bavaria

Dive into the Bavarian way of life! In an interactive market, Bavarian ambassadors will present selected cuisine and art and crafts and enable visitors to experience the many things Bavaria has to offer as a holiday destination. A competition will be organised around activities such as stand-up paddling and dancing to Bavarian tunes. Gankino Circus will play music from Bavaria. Relaxation is guaranteed at the podcast area on the lawn, where visitors can listen to the Bavarian podcast Hock’ di her.
(Map: 46)

Fujitsu | Child Protection Alliance

The goal of the Child Protection Alliance is to protect children from sexualised violence in digital and non-digital life. Fujitsu supports the alliance in implementing strategies to combat sexualised violence against children and teenagers – from prevention and law enforcement to victim support. Visitors to the stand can familiarise themselves with the child-protection app and experience the child-protection island.
(Map: 28)

Generali Deutschland AG | The Human Safety Net

A Generali initiative, the Human Safety Net helps disadvantaged people to develop their potential. Visitors can test their knowledge of human nature in the World of Potential and via interactive games and actions. There will also be a group ball-in-a-maze challenge and the opportunity to take a personal souvenir photo home with you. An exhibition commissioned by Generali, The Germans of the 21st Century by photographer Oliviero Toscani, will also be shown on the grounds of the Citizens’ Festival.
(Map: 9)

Beautiful Ireland

Visitors can experience the beauty of Ireland through culinary and cultural delights in the park at Schloss Bellevue. In addition to the world-famous Riverdance on the main stage, there will be traditional Irish music and fairy-tales, as well as a demonstration of Gaelic sports curated by the Irish Embassy. On a virtual trip ‒ using VR glasses in the Discover Ireland trailer ‒ you can discover the enchanting and astounding beauty of Ireland. A souvenir photo with the Cliffs of Moher will remind you of this amazing experience when you are back home. By pressing the start button on the Ireland competition, guests can win one of many great prizes, such as a trip to Ireland or a premium gas barbecue. The children’s area will offer crafts, painting and face-painting, along with Irish storytelling. And in the restaurant tent of Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, visitors can look forward to specialities from all over Ireland ‒ Irish beef sandwiches with tasty grilled Cheddar and delicious Irish relish, as well as potato cakes with freshly smoked salmon from the Irish Atlantic coast. Guests can enjoy these delicacies on sheep stools in the picnic area. The beer truck with Irish stout and other typical beers will provide a classic Irish pub experience. And to round it all off, there will be traditional live music.
(Map: 47)

Internationale Jugendgemeinschaftsdienste (ijgd) | Volunteering around the world

The ijgd is a non-profit association for international youth work and has organised volunteer programmes since 1949. Every year, the ijgd assists around 5,000 young people who wish to engage in volunteer work in Germany and abroad. Its activities are based on eight principles: ecological learning, voluntary participation, self-organisation, social development, intercultural learning, gender equality, anti-racism/anti-discrimination and political education. Guests are invited to join us in the ijgd photobooth to take bright themed photos.
(Map: 63)

Klaus Tschira Stiftung gemeinnützige GmbH | Science presentations at school

Jugend präsentiert (literally Youth Presents) is an educational initiative organised by the Klaus Tschira Foundation to foster school pupils’ communication skills. The focus is on presentations as a key knowledge transfer tool in maths and the sciences. In addition to teacher training and a federal competition, Jugend präsentiert also supplies free teaching materials. Visitors to the Citizens’ Festival can try these out at the stand.
(Map: 65)

L'Oréal Deutschland GmbH | FIGHT WITH CARE

L’Oréal is working with the dermocosmetics brand La Roche-Posay on skin cancer prevention and teaching people about sun protection. Together with La Fondation La Roche-Posay and the th!nk pink club® e.V., the company seeks to help patients with cancer. Visitors to the Citizens’ Festival can get individual advice from a dermatologist at the stand and learn more about the importance and effectiveness of sun protection with the help of a UV camera. The highlight is the poetry slam with the founder of the th!nk pink club® e.V. on Friday at 6.30 p.m. and on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
(Map: 27)

Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V. | Young volunteers in hospice work

Are dying, grief and hospice work really subjects for young people?! Yes, they are! Many young people have already experienced loss and grief. As part of a three-year project, the Malteser Hilfsdienst worked with young adults to find new ways of connecting with people under the age of 30, talking to them about grief and the finite nature of life, and enthusing them for the hospice movement. The project also explored how young people could learn more about hospice work and become volunteers themselves.
(Map: 5)

Melitta Gruppe | Don’t throw me away!

The Melitta Group and the Hollen Environmental Centre’s initiative Don't throw me away! have valuable tips to share with visitors on how to keep apples, bread and co. fresh and out of the garbage. For example, how you arrange your food in the fridge can already make a difference. Visitors can have fun testing and enhancing their skills as food savers at the stand. In addition, the Melitta Group showcases its other partnerships with organisations such as the German Society for the Protection of Children.
(Map: 29)

Mercedes-Benz AG | MobileKids traffic school

Together with its employees, Mercedes-Benz AG endeavours to promote the common good, respect, tolerance and road safety through a wide range of activities. It funds projects at national and international level, including the MobileKids road safety initiative. At the stand, young visitors to the Citizens’ Festival can make their way through a small traffic safety park and try out numerous theoretical and practical exercises.
(Map: 30)

Naturschutzbund Deutschland (NABU) e.V. | Nature calls. We are the answer!

The Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) is Germany’s largest nature conservation association. NAJU is its children’s and youth association. Volunteers throughout Germany work to protect biodiversity, safeguard intact habitats and use resources with care. At their stand, NABU and NAJU invite visitors to participate in upcycling and DIY activities, find out more about sustainable lifestyles and explore biodiversity.
(Map: 37)

Ordenskanzlei des Bundespräsidialamtes | Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

Honouring dedicated citizens with the Order of Merit is part of the Federal President’s job. It is a way of thanking people who have made outstanding contributions to the common good. The Honours and Decorations Division supports the Federal President in this task. At the stand, staff from the Honours and Decorations Division will show you various orders and answer questions about the Order of Merit and the Silver Laurel Leaf, Germany’s highest award for sporting excellence.
(Map: 18)

Ring Deutscher Pfadfinder*innenverbände e.V. (rdp) | Scouting in Germany

The rdp is a federation of five German scout associations with around 170,000 members. They help young people discover their talents, use them and help shape the world responsibly. At the stand, visitors can learn more about the work of the scouts and take part in a quiz to win great prizes.
(Map: 43)

Siemens AG | Siemens Talent Network

The Siemens Talent Network implements non-profit projects at various Siemens locations. One of these is the Christmas wishes campaign. This joint project is organised by Siemens employees in Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Leipzig and other cities and aims to bring cheer at Christmastime to socially disadvantaged children and young people every year. At the stand, visitors to the Citizens’ Festival are invited to share their ideas about how Siemens could become socially engaged in their Berlin neighbourhoods.
(Map: 45)

Stiftung Kunst und Natur | Experience the soil – enjoy art

With its two locations – the Sinclair-Haus Museum in Bad Homburg and its countryside venue in Nantesbuch – the Stiftung Kunst und Natur (Art and Nature Foundation) offers spaces and interdisciplinary programmes to explore art and culture as well as nature and varying landscapes. It wants to contribute to a society that acts with a sense of responsibility and respect and lives in concord with its natural and cultural foundations. The Foundation has brought a piece of Nantesbucher moor to the Citizens’ Festival to represent the massive carbon storage capability of our habitat.
(Map: 34)

TUI | TUI Care Foundation

The TUI Care Foundation initiates and supports projects that open new perspectives to young people around the world, protect nature and the environment, and promote the sustainable development of holiday destinations. The foundation believes in the potential of the tourism sector as a driver of social development, education and prosperity. The TUI Care Foundation invites Citizens’ Festival visitors to watch the multimedia installation about its numerous initiatives and what has been achieved through various projects around the globe.
(Map: 17)

Wildwasser Gießen e.V. | Counselling centre for people affected by sexual abuse

Wildwasser Gießen provides protection and assistance for those affected by sexual violence. A special focus is on counselling girls and boys who have experienced sexual abuse, as well as caregivers and professionals. At the stand, visitors will find cheeky responses to sexist comments, they can discuss myths and truths about the subject, learn what helps people who have been affected, and talk about abuse if they want. This is important, because talking helps everyone; silence only helps the perpetrators.
(Map: 4)

Youth Lead the Change Germany e.V.

This non-profit association gives young people the opportunity to help shape their own city and thereby become enthusiastic proponents of democracy. Young people can submit their ideas via a digital voting platform. They can then vote democratically to choose which initiatives will be implemented. Part of the local government budget is made available to put these projects into practice. In this way, young people actively shape their city in line with their needs and desires, and experience democracy up close. At the stand, the young association invites you to share your creative ideas on urban design.
(Map: 67)