Jena. On Wednesday, September 30, 2026, the ceremonial presentation of the 25th Jena Prize for Civil Courage took place at the Historical Town Hall in Jena. The award honors individuals who do not look away in critical situations, but act decisively and stand up for their fellow human beings.
- Event: 25th Presentation of the Jena Prize for Civil Courage
- Location: Historical Town Hall Jena
- Date: September 30, 2026
- Prize Sponsor: jenawohnen GmbH (1,000 euros each)
Presentation of the Civil Courage Prize
This year’s main prize was awarded to Laurence Michel and Paul Jakobeit. They demonstrated exceptional civil courage when they intervened after a group of young people had been racially insulted and harassed. Through their courageous intervention, they protected those affected, but were themselves victims of assault in the process. Laurence Michel, in particular, sustained significant physical injuries. Furthermore, both award winners demonstrated great courage in the subsequent legal proceedings by actively contributing to the investigation as witnesses.
Special Recognition for Rea Mauersberger
On the occasion of the prize’s 25th anniversary, a special award for extraordinary and long-term civil society engagement was presented this year. The award went to Rea Mauersberger. Born in Brazil, she came to Jena in 1992 and played a significant role in shaping the fight against right-wing structures since the so-called “baseball bat years.” Among other things, she blocked the access of right-wing extremist groups to events on the university campus and campaigned intensively for the closure of the former initial reception facility in Jena-Forst.
As a founding member of the Jena Advisory Board for Migration and Integration in 1995, she led the committee as chairwoman until 2025 and represented it at the state and federal level. In addition, she participated in the Round Table for Democracy, was involved in the revision of the city program, and was one of the authors of the 10-point action plan against racism, which enabled Jena to join the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR) in 2022. For her more than 34 years of commitment to humanity and solidarity, she was presented with the special prize from jenawohnen GmbH, endowed with 1,000 euros.
Charlotte-Figulla-Prize Youth Competition
Traditionally, the Thuringia-wide student and youth competition “Charlotte-Figulla-Prize” was also awarded during the ceremony. The prize is aimed at young people and is intended to encourage engagement with democracy, cosmopolitanism, and tolerance. In 2026, the competition was held under the motto “erWACHSEN” (growing up/adult).
The following were awarded:
- Upper/Work Level 1 of the Jettina Schule Gorndorf for the entry “Willkommen im Reich der Erwachsenen”
- Lina-Marie Lehmann for the entry “Kopfsache”
- Class 8/1 of the Karl-Theodor-Liebe-Gymnasium Gera for the entry “Unser Weg ins Erwachsenwerden”
- Ayat Al Hamadi for the entry “Dankbarkeit”
- Class 7 of the Friedrich-Schiller-Gymnasium Erfurt for the submissions “Drei Abschnitte als Räume”, “Die zwei Seiten”, “Die Veränderung des Gehirns”, “Schwer ist das Erwachsenwerden” and “Der Aufstieg ins Erwachsenleben”
The Charlotte-Figulla-Prize has been sponsored since 2004 by the parents of the deceased namesake, Prof. Hans-Reiner Figulla and Jutta Söhnle-Jünemann. A total of 4,000 euros in prize money was awarded to the participating young people and school classes this year.
Background on the Jena Prize for Civil Courage
The Jena Prize for Civil Courage was launched a quarter of a century ago to honor citizens who stand up against xenophobia, violence, and intolerance in everyday life. The sponsor of the main prize and this year’s special prize is the municipal company jenawohnen GmbH, which supports the commitment with financial resources and thus sets a visible sign for a cosmopolitan Jena.
Source:
25th Jena Prize for Civil Courage
Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.