To mark the tenth anniversary of the “Auf Augenhöhe” fund, which was launched in 2016 in collaboration with GLS Treuhand and the Alliance of Community Foundations in Germany, the Software AG Foundation is launching a nationwide campaign to promote greater social cohesion in a diverse society. In light of increasing polarization and a dwindling sense of community, the campaign is sending a clear signal for dialogue, participation, and respectful coexistence through its “Benches for Encounter.”

The benches will be distributed to community foundations and Houses of Resources throughout Germany, among others. They create low-threshold spaces for conversation in public areas and raise awareness of initiatives by and for people with refugee or migration backgrounds. During the campaign period from mid-2026 to approximately mid/late 2027, permanent meeting places that invite interaction will emerge in many locations.

The benches are manufactured at the DualWerk AusbildungsCampus in Kassel, a training center with a social mission. A question is engraved on the backrest of each bench—such as “Where do you feel at home?”, “What connects us?”, or “What gives you hope?”—intended to inspire reflection and conversation.

The initiative is made possible by the commitment and donations of numerous supporters. Interested civil society actors as well as potential sponsors—such as foundations or companies—who would like to finance the production and installation of the benches can contact the project team now at fonds-auf-augenhoehe(at)sagst.de.