German Green Belt honored with largest German audience award

In an award ceremony watched by millions, the “Golden Hen” was presented to BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany) for its longstanding engagement in preserving the Green Belt in Germany.

Dr. Liana Geidezis, Head of National BUND Competence Centre Green Belt (second from left) and Dr. Myriam Rapior, Vice-chair of BUND (second from right), with the Golden Hen-award and the donation cheque of 25.000 € for the Green Belt, presented by Burkhard Jung, mayor of Leipzig (right) and Ludger Weskamp, president of the East German Savings Banks Association (left). © BrauerPhotos /J.Harrell

 

On 12.9.2025 in Leipzig, Germany, BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany) received the famous TV award “Golden Hen” in the category ‘honorary award on the occasion of 35 years of German unity’. Reason for the awarding is BUND's long lasting commitment for the European Green Belt in Germany. The awarding was presented in a televised ceremony at prime time during an illustrious gala event. The Golden Hen is Germany's largest audience award and has been presented since 1995.


Dr. Liana Geidezis, head of National BUND Competence Centre Green Belt, said: „We were overjoyed when we heard that the Green Belt was chosen to receive this award, and that the enduring engagement of all BUND colleagues would be honored. With this event, the Green Belt was able to reach a TV audience of over 3 million.”


BUND initiated the German Green Belt shortly after the opening of the Iron Curtain. It now connects people and nature along nearly 1,400 kilometers of the former inner-German border. Today, the Green Belt in Germany is a habitat for over 1,200 threatened animal and plant species and a living memorial landscape.

 

For more information, please contact: 

Melanie Kreutz, National BUND Competence Centre Green Belt; E-Mail: melanie.kreutz(at)bund-naturschutz.de

Phone: +49 911 5752940

Website: https://www.bund.net/gruenes-band/