The Amadeu-Antonio-Stiftung has voiced significant concerns regarding the new funding criteria announced by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs for the “Live Democracy” national program. According to Timo Reinfrank, the foundation’s CEO, the required “Haber procedure”-which obliges civic organizations to undergo preliminary checks by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution-is “non-transparent.” He pointed out that affected organizations often remain unaware of the findings behind these checks or how they can contest them.
Reinfrank stated that such intelligence-based review is only acceptable if it is structured according to the rule of law, is verifiable, and comprehensible. He warned that secret intelligence vetting without sufficient transparency risks damaging public trust and subjecting legitimate civil society efforts to unwarranted suspicion.
In addition to concerns over oversight, the Amadeu-Antonio-Stiftung maintains that the program’s primary focus is shifting too heavily toward state regulations, which are structurally inadequate for the task. Given the current rise of right-wing youth cultures and digital radicalization, the foundation argues that powerful, independent expert organizations are needed, not increased state control. The foundation generally fears that civil engagement, particularly in Eastern Germany, will weaken, and specialized knowledge will be lost because of the shake-up in the funding structure.
However, Reinfrank also expressed official welcome for the fact that the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs has incorporated key input from civil society after extensive discussions and strong criticism. He specifically highlighted that the formal recognition of the digital space as a dedicated area of action is particularly important.
