On January 27, 2022, the POP Movement from the school Julius-Stursberg-Gymnasium (JSG) received the Heimat-Preis 2021 (Homeland Award) from the city council of Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany. The award was also received by two other projects in Neukirchen-Vluyn: “Cycling without age” of the Tuwas cooperative and the Beekeeping Association. The award ceremony was held by video conference in the presence of Mayor Ralf Köpke and a prize money of 5000 euros from the state fund was distributed equally among the three winning projects.

“Heimat-Preis” is an annual award given by the city of Neukirchen-Vluyn in Germany to honor the voluntary commitment of individuals and non-profit organizations or institutions for implementing exemplary and future-oriented measures/projects. The criteria for evaluation includes diversity, cohesion, identity, customs and tradition, ecology and biodiversity, and the city as a place to experience.

The POP Movement Germany receives this award for its continued exemplary work towards environmental protection and sustainability through its motto, “Illustrate, don’t lecture”. The team is made up of students and alumni of Julius-Stursberg-Gymnasium, who are led and mentored by their teacher Andreas Forsthövel.

“My name is Lea. I have been a member of POP Movement Germany for three years now. We have received awards in the past, which was a real honor and a nice confirmation that our work is important and worthy of promotion, but the Heimatschutzpreis (homeland award) is even more special to me, to us. Being one of the three winners showed us that we are not only seen as an environmental group, but also as a part of the engagement in Neukirchen-Vluyn and connected with our hometown. It showed that environmental protection is not seen as something exotic or unusual anymore. Both of the other winning groups do really great stuff as well so it was a real honor to earn the prize with them.”

– Lea Böder, POP Movement Germany

Media | Heimat-Preise für das Jahr 2021 – LokalKlick.eu | Das sind die Gewinner des Heimatpreises in Neukirchen-Vluyn – nrz.de