Idea & Concept

What is gedenk_potenziale?

On May 5, 1945, Allied troops liberated the Mauthausen concentration camp. Of the approximately 190,000 innocent people deported by the Nazi regime to the Mauthausen concentration camp and its subcamps between 1938 and 1945, around 100,000 were murdered. No other place in Austria symbolizes the crimes of the National Socialists so drastically. The National Council of the Austrian Parliament has therefore designated May 5 as "Remembrance Day against Violence and Racism in Memory of the Victims of National Socialism". This day is intended to commemorate the victims of National Socialism at federal, provincial and municipal level and promote awareness of violence and racism.

With gedenk_potenziale , the city of Innsbruck supports projects with a total volume of 20,000 euros. Projects are funded that deal with innovative and sustainable forms of commemoration of the victims of National Socialism. At the same time, the projects should address current forms of racism, anti-Semitism and violence and encourage reflection, debate and discussion. The focus of a submitted project must always be respect for the victims of National Socialism and the victims of violence, racism and anti-Semitism.

How often is gedenk_potenziale put out to tender?

The call for entries takes place every year on May 5 and always two years in advance (gedenk_potenziale 2026 will be announced in 2024, etc.). The jury meeting usually takes place in the fall.

Which projects does gedenk_potenziale support?

gedenk_potenziale focuses on the development of contemporary forms of commemoration of the victims of National Socialism and victims of violence, racism and anti-Semitism. Special consideration is given to innovative projects that understand remembrance as intensive social research.

gedenk_potenziale would like to provide impulses for anchoring May 5th as a day of remembrance against violence and racism in commemoration of the victims of National Socialism in the public consciousness of the city of Innsbruck and beyond. Accordingly, the 5th of May "in remembrance of the victims of National Socialism as a day of remembrance against violence and racism" must be the focus of the submitted projects.

gedenk_potenziale also aims to promote cooperation and networking. Funding is primarily available for projects that are cross-sectoral or interdisciplinary. However, individuals are also invited to submit projects.

Who decides on the selection of projects?

An independent and supra-regional jury of experts decides on the specific text of the call for proposals and the awarding of funding, whereby the regular exchange between the jury members ensures that new perspectives can constantly flow into the selection process. Aware of the responsibility that comes with the topic of the call for proposals, it was decided that the formal and content-related criteria and priorities can be reviewed by the jury every dre i year and adapted if necessary.