EWE press release
Public voting in the EWE Climate Competition begins on 17 February. Members of the public will decide how funding is allocated.
- We’d love you to get involved: online voting is open until 17 March at wir-hier-jetzt.com
- Strong local commitment: 15 projects from three regions nominated
- Effective climate action: Two projects in each region will be selected and receive funding
Public online voting for the EWE Climate Competition “Wir hier. Jetzt.” 2025/2026 begins on 17 February. Until 17 March inclusive, members of the public can vote for their favourite project at wir-hier-jetzt.com. The winners will be announced and notified on 24 March.
There are five projects each from the Weser-Ems, Weser-Elbe and Brandenburg/Rügen regions to choose from. They demonstrate how climate protection, social cohesion and regional responsibility are put into practice in very concrete ways at a local level.
“The nominated projects clearly demonstrate just how much commitment and drive for change there is in our regions,” says Justine Ronken, project manager of the EWE Climate Competition. “Through the voting process, we’re giving people the chance to play an active part in deciding which ideas receive further support.”
These projects are up for selection
Weser-Ems region
- Hatten | Landjugend Hatten e.V.: Expansion of the ‘Green Classroom’ – construction of a barefoot trail, a weather station and a solar model
- Holdorf | AGRELA e. V.: “From the field to the plate with all the senses” – Sustainable food and environmental education for nursery school children
- Melle-Buer | Förderverein Arena am Stuckenberg e. V.: An inclusive, sustainable space for play and physical activity, featuring recycled materials and a biodiversity concept
- Oldenburg | FCG Oldenburg e. V.: ‘Construction trailer’ for environmental and nature education – a sustainable place for children to learn and relax
- Wallenhorst-Hollage | Blau-Weiss Hollage e. V.: Cycle park with repair station – more climate-friendly ways to get to the sports ground
Weser-Elbe region- Oyten | “die kleinen Strolche” – Oyten Primary School Association: Winter-proof refurbishment of the outdoor classroom with a dense windbreak hedge and a second garden shed
- Sauensiek | Naturbad Sauensiek e. V.: A naturally purified swimming area with a deep well and solar panels
- Twistringen | SC Twistringen: Water-saving irrigation system for sustainable sports facilities
- Verden | Friends of HSG Verden-Aller e.V.: Power to Play – Solar power, heating and sustainable mobility through the installation of a photovoltaic system
- Wistedt | Mehr Bäume Jetzt e. V.: Saving trees and giving them away for free – for more green spaces in the local area
Brandenburg/Rügen region- Dahme/Mark | Baumkuchen e. V.: Exploration time for nursery children – experiencing, understanding and protecting nature
- Eberswalde | Brot & Hoffnung e. V.: Solar balcony power station for social organisations
- Eberswalde | Förderverein OSZ II Barnim e. V.: ‘Green instead of grey’ – removing hard surfaces and introducing greenery to create a climate-friendly school playground
- Rüdersdorf | Haus Kiebitz e. V.: An open community garden for all generations
- Schorfheide | Ottersport e.V.: Raising environmental awareness and promoting sustainable physical activity programmes
How the selection was made: Jury and competition format
The fifth round of the EWE Climate Competition is organised on a regional basis for the first time. This means that organisations from all parts of EWE’s home regions – between the Weser and Ems rivers, the Weser and Elbe rivers, as well as in Brandenburg, Vorpommern and on Rügen – have a fair and equal chance of receiving funding.
Following the close of the application phase on 31 December 2025, the jury reviewed the submissions and selected five finalists from each region. The entries were assessed by EWE CEO Stefan Dohler and several leading local government representatives from the three competition regions. Key criteria included climate impact, sustainability, social added value, regional roots and the feasibility of the project ideas.
It is now up to the public: citizens can cast their votes via an online poll on wir-hier-jetzt.com.
In each region, the two projects with the most votes will be awarded prizes. They will receive earmarked funding of 5,000 euros (1st place) and 2,500 euros (2nd place) to implement their project ideas.
Fact box- Voting period: 17 February to 17 March 2026
- Regions: Weser-Ems | Weser-Elbe | Brandenburg/Rügen
- Finalists: 15 projects (5 from each region)
- Winners: 2 projects per region
- Funding per region: 1st place: 5,000 euros, 2nd place: 2,500 euros (funds are earmarked for specific purposes)
- Announcement of the winners: 24 March 2026