Jena sets an example for the future: Apply now for the German Demography Award 2026

Demographic change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and Jena is showing how it can be actively shaped. Together with the Demography Network (ddn), the Mayor of the City of Jena, Thomas Nitzsche, Jenoptik as the main sponsor of this year's award ceremony and Ed. Züblin AG - Directorate East are calling on companies, organizations and initiatives to apply for the German Demography Award 2026 by 31.01.2026.

The prize recognizes projects that provide innovative answers to demographic changes and thus ensure the future viability of our society. Jena stands for progress and networking and would like to use this call to show that numerous companies in our region in particular are leading the way with creative ideas.

"Jena is a city of science and innovation. We know that demographic change is not only a challenge, but also an opportunity. With the German Demography Award, we want to show how creative solutions can strengthen our society. I cordially invite all stakeholders from our region to submit their projects",

emphasizes Lord Mayor Thomas Nitzsche.

Why is this important?

Demographic change is a challenge for all companies, especially in Thuringia. By 2035, Thuringia's population will shrink from around 2.1 million to around 1.9 million, with the proportion of people of working age falling from 61% to 56% (Bernhardt et al. 2023, p.6). Around 385,500 workers are leaving the workforce due to age, while only around 247,100 new jobs can be filled (Bernhardt et al. 2023, p.72). The demographic change makes it clear how important it is to find new ways of working. The German Demography Award makes nationwide approaches visible and honors them.

Who can apply?

All companies, institutions, educational establishments, NGOs and initiatives from all over Germany are invited to submit their concepts. Projects from Thuringia and Jena in particular should take the opportunity to gain nationwide attention.

Applications can be submitted in four categories:

- Effective diversity - strengthening cohesion
- Developing skills - creating prospects
- Shaping the future of work
- Promoting health holistically

Whether a comprehensive concept or a creative individual measure - every idea counts. Even small projects can initiate big changes.

Jenoptik as the main sponsor of this year's award ceremony and partner of the "Shaping the future of work" category

Jenoptik, one of the largest employers in Thuringia with around 1,700 employees at its main site in Jena and the Triptis site, is supporting the award as the main sponsor and is a partner of the "Shaping the future of work" category.

This award category stands for solutions that create modern working environments, secure skilled workers and open up new perspectives.

"As a technology company, we know how crucial sustainable working models are for success,"

emphasizes Olaf Drillisch-Saathoff, Vice President Global HR at Jenoptik.

"We want to encourage organizations to contribute their ideas and shape the working world of tomorrow together. It is particularly important to develop concepts that cushion the impact of demographic change with an increasingly ageing society and workforce."

What can be an award-worthy project?

There is a wide range of possible submissions:

- New working time models that promote work-life balance
- Digital solutions that make work processes more efficient
- Innovative training programs to secure skilled workers
- Pilot projects for age-appropriate workplaces
- Small ideas with a big impact, such as mentoring programs or initiatives to strengthen team diversity

Best practice: Züblin shows how it's done

Ed. Züblin AG has already shown what such an award-worthy project can look like at the German Demography Award 2024 with the project "We build with diversity". More in the podcast: Building with diversity - How Züblin is solving the skills shortage.

Ed. Züblin AG - Directorate East is participating in this year's German Demography Award together with Jenoptik as a partner from the region. Züblin is chairing the jury in the category "Effective Diversity - Strengthening Cohesion" as a ddp partner.

Apply now and shape the future!

Entries can be submitted until 31.01.2026 via the website www.deutscher-demografie-preis.de. Thuringian companies and institutions in particular are invited to submit their ideas. The jury will evaluate demographic relevance, objectives, challenges, effectiveness, resources, transferability and the degree of innovation. Three concepts per category will be nominated from all submissions. At the ddp Future Pitch on March 19, 2026, the nominees will present their projects in a live digital session in front of the jury and audience as part of the selection process for the German Demography Award. The winners will finally be honored at the festive award ceremony on June 4, 2026 in the Volkshaus Jena.

"Every application contributes to learning from each other and creating a sustainable society together,"

says Martina Schmeink, Managing Director of Das Demographie Netzwerk e.V. (ddn).