Volunteering moves - analog and digital. Following last year's successful launch, this year's Bavarian Social Media Award is stepping up its game and aims to showcase the creativity, attitude and passion behind the social media presence of Bavarian associations, initiatives and young volunteers in more categories than last year. Prizes will be awarded to non-profit organizations as well as committed young people and young adults who make their voluntary work visible with strong digital formats. Prize money and professional support in the form of coaching are up for grabs in a total of four categories. The closing date for entries is June 14, 2026.
Volunteering is a key pillar of social cohesion. Millions of people in Bavaria are involved - in sport, in rescue and aid organizations, in the neighborhood, in social projects, in cultural and environmental initiatives or in disaster control. This commitment is diverse, modern - and increasingly digital. This is why the Versicherungskammer Stiftung and digital verein(t), a lagfa bayern project, have now launched the award on a larger scale for the second time.
The Bavarian Social Media Award 2026 will be presented in four categories:
- Engagementfluencer - prize money: 2,000 euros
For social media formats that make volunteering visible in a creative, authentic way and from new perspectives.
- Newcomer - social media coaching and content package worth 2,000 euros
For accounts that have only been active for a short time and want to develop their digital public relations.
- Young Impact - prize money: 2,000 euros
For young committed people between the ages of 14 and 27 who creatively address social issues on social media and motivate others to get involved.
- Special prize for volunteer agencies - prize money: 1,500 euros
For agencies that use social media to provide guidance, inform about volunteering and connect people.
All associations, initiatives, non-profit organizations and young volunteers based in Bavaria that have an active public social media profile are eligible to apply.
The patron of the award is the Bavarian Minister of State for Digital Affairs, Dr. Fabian Mehring.
The award ceremony will take place on October 9, 2026 in Munich.
With the award, the organizers want to send a signal - for digital participation, for a culture of recognition and for a modern understanding of commitment.
"It is important to us that volunteer work done offline is also communicated visibly and tangibly in the digital world. Social media is increasingly being used as a communication and information platform, so that in future it will be possible to attract more and more people to your topics and young talent to your own organization," says Isabel Stier, Managing Director of the Versicherungskammer Stiftung.
Closing date: June 14, 2026
Applications can be submitted online via the website of the Versicherungskammer Stiftung:
https://versicherungskammer-stiftung.de/preise/digital-verbunden/social-media-award-2026/ausschreibung/