Special prize for inclusion: Münsterland is moving forward!

Special prize for inclusion: Münsterland is moving forward!

On June 18, 2025, the Münster Theater was the venue for a particularly celebratory award ceremony: The special prize from the Münster-Osnabrück Marketing Club was awarded to the “Inclusion Münsterland” campaign. It is an initiative that brings together an extraordinary number of partners - over 40 associations, district craft associations, chambers, job centers and other bodies are committed to the goal of promoting the participation of people with disabilities in working life. The campaign is supported by a strong alliance called “Work and Inclusion” in the Steinfurt district, which illustrates the importance of inclusion in society. Press service reports that among the main actors Frank Tischner, Tanja Schmidt and Christian Holterhues are advocates of this valuable idea.

“Five percent more inclusion means 5,000 percent more potential!” – is the motto of the campaign, which is distributed through various media formats such as videos, radio spots and social media. District Administrator Dr. Martin Sommer emphasized how important it is to create more jobs for people with disabilities and praised the commitment of those responsible: “We all have to make an effort so that inclusion becomes not just a word, but a reality.” Tanja Schmidt, director of the job center, made it clear that people with disabilities are still disadvantaged in the world of work, thereby underlining the relevance of this initiative.

Innovative approaches to inclusion

The campaign has not only established itself as an ambassador for the rights of people with disabilities, but also provides concrete impulses to motivate companies in Münsterland to be actively included. Mathias Mester, who is known as the campaign's patron and himself a Paralympic silver medalist in basketball, brings additional attention to the issue with his personality. His commitment is intended to help raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities, particularly in the labor market.

The numbers speak for themselves: loud Coesfeld district clinics There are currently 14,700 job vacancies in Münsterland, while the unemployment rate among people with disabilities is an alarming 11 percent. Many of them are well trained and ready to make a valuable contribution to the world of work. This discrepancy shows that there is a need for action to reduce obstacles and remove barriers.

A look at the challenges

But what is the actual situation? The still current study of the Human Action shows that the situation for people with disabilities on the labor market has not improved in recent years. In 2023, the unemployment rate and unemployment figures rose while more and more companies failed to fulfill their legal obligation to employ people with disabilities. The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities came into force 15 years ago, and yet not enough has been done.

The “Inclusion Münsterland” campaign aims to counteract these grievances and give people with disabilities a real chance of employment subject to social security contributions. Together with the Coesfeld district crafts association and many other committed actors, the initiative shows that it is never too late for inclusion - and that if everyone pulls together, a society can be created in which diversity and equal opportunities are more than just projects, but a living reality.

For further information about inclusion in Münsterland, please visit the website inclusion-muensterland.de.