Social and cultural commitment wins - Awarding of the Commitment Prize at HNEE

As part of an outdoor event in the Forest Botanical Garden of Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) on 8 December 2021, two particularly committed students were awarded the Eberswalde University Society (Eberswalder Hochschulgesellschaft, EHG) e.V. Commitment Award.

This year's award ceremony was once again a two-pronged affair: a commitment award, in which the EHG Board decides on the winners, and an audience award, in which the winner is chosen by members of HNEE. Out of a total of five nominated candidates, Lena Bergmann and Lena Höhne were honoured with the award this year. Prof. Dr Martin Guericke, Chairman of the EHG, presented the certificates in a wintry setting, between colourfully illuminated trees, torches and fire barrels in the Forest Botanical Garden.

Lena Bergmann, a student on the Sustainable Business Management programme, received the audience award. She is the founder of "Schmatzkammer" and campaigned for premises in ROFIN Park to create a place for students to socialise.

"The Schmatzkammer e.V. association creates a community space in Eberswalde, an open space for exchange, creative work and cultural events. The association has had premises in Rofinpark since June 2021. In November 2021, the premises were officially opened with the first Küfa (kitchen for all). The full potential of the Schmatzkammer will be realised in the future. This includes open workshops, e.g. photo lab and screen printing, a fair café, events such as workshops, jam sessions, readings, exhibitions, discussions and much more. For me, the Schmatzkammer is above all a meeting place for the various inhabitants of the city of Eberswalde, where people can become politically, socially and culturally active. Social and ecological sustainability take centre stage.

What I have been missing in Eberswalde so far are opportunities for exchange between students and non-students. This is where the Schmatzkammer wants to start and try to be a place for all residents in Eberswalde. What I would also like to see is a pub in Eberswalde that is attractive to non-students and students alike."

Lena Höhne is studying for a Bachelor's degree in Financial Management and was honoured by the EHG Executive Board with the Commitment Award for her involvement in the bicycle self-help workshop, for her activities with the General Student Committee (AStA) and with food sharing.

"The most important part of my current commitment is chairing the AStA. It is important to maintain an overview of the AStA and to represent the committee externally. Another important task is to prepare and moderate the meetings. I ended up there because I was already active in the bicycle self-help workshop and wanted to be elected to the AStA in order to become a speaker for the bicycle self-help workshop.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Maxie Martin in particular. She is also active in the bicycle self-help workshop and was one of the people who motivated me to stand for the AStA. I took over the chairmanship from her.

I had known about Foodsharing for a while and became aware of the group here in Eberswalde at the Freshers' Rally, so I became active when I moved here. The aim of food sharing is to reduce food waste by collecting surplus or no longer perfect food. That appealed to me, so I became part of it straight away."

About the Engagement Award
The Eberswalde University Society has been honouring committed students at Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development since 2006. The Commitment Award is presented each year to young people who are strongly committed to volunteering and thus significantly revitalise student culture.