Cologne | Is the “Edelgard” project, which has been addressing the issue of sexual violence since 2018, about to end? The coordination office and the Cologne Initiative against Sexual Violence say that 65,000 euros are missing for 2025. The funding for the coordination office will expire on December 31, 2024.
The funding expires at the end of December 2024 and there is no follow-up funding in sight, according to the coordination office. “Edelgard” is about more protection for women and girls in public spaces. The initiative was particularly visible around the street carnival days in Cologne. In threatening situations, women could turn to the advisors and receive help there.
“Edelgard” is a reaction to the events of New Year's Eve 2015/16 on the square in front of Cologne's train station. Not only the women's and girls' support facilities were active in its founding, but also the city of Cologne, the Cologne police and church-run sponsoring associations. “Edelgard” brought sexual violence against women and girls into the public spotlight. The Committee for Equality between Women and Men in the City of Cologne, for example, financed the coordination office. The aim is to ensure that women and girls feel safe in Cologne.
The creators emphasize the importance of the project as part of the security concept within the city of Cologne and the nationwide significance of the project. There have been inquiries from other cities that want to adopt the concept.
The Cologne Initiative against Sexualized Violence writes: “In order to further consolidate the building blocks of Edelgard and to pursue the vision of a diverse, sustainable and inclusive offer for victims of sexualized violence in public spaces in Cologne, we urgently need continued funding for the coordination office. Only with this do we see a chance of maintaining the successful campaigns, the more than 200 places of protection in Cologne and the support offered at carnival and other major events and continuing them in the existing quality.”
