All the News at a Glance

There are many great ideas for building a strong sense of community—sometimes all that’s missing is the financial support to bring them to life. The new “Bingo! Volunteer Foundation NRW” provides grants of up to 5,000 euros to support volunteer projects run by nonprofit organizations. Applications can be submitted starting September 1, 2026.

Summer vacation is coming to an end, and school is starting again for nearly 2.5 million students in North Rhine-Westphalia. It will be especially exciting for about 170,000 first-graders, who are experiencing their first day of school these days. Education Minister Dorothee Feller sends them her best wishes as they start school.

Many municipalities in North Rhine-Westphalia offer a Family Pass that entitles families to discounts on recreational activities, for example. To find out if your municipality offers a Family Pass, visit our information page: Simply enter your city or ZIP code in the "How to Apply" section.

Do you have a question about benefits, counseling services, or another family-related topic? Our new AI chatbot is available 24/7 to help you quickly find the information you need. Learn how the chatbot works and how your data is protected.

Starting school is a big step—for children and their parents. Often, the excitement about this new chapter in life is mixed with worry about whether the child will fit in with the new class. In this interview, Peter Carlsen, a specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry and psychotherapy, explains how parents can help their children make friends.

It’s just one week away: From August 28 to 30, 2026, Münster will be celebrating the state’s 80th anniversary. For three days, a diverse range of activities for all ages—including music, culture, and hands-on events—will take place around Domplatz. You can find the program and everything you need to know on the City of Münster’s website.

How can families keep the dialogue open in the face of populist rhetoric and strengthen democratic values? What can help when emotions run high? Join the online discussion and register now for free for the event “The Family as a Place of Democracy in Turbulent Times” on September 29, 2026, at 7 p.m.

More than 40 public libraries are looking for young gamers ages 8 to 16 to join the TOMMI Children’s and Youth Jury and test and evaluate digital games and educational resources. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to contact their local participating library. TOMMI is a nationwide media literacy project.

Want to create your own media content? Go for it! Medienbox NRW offers online seminars to help you produce media content. Sign up now for free for the new sessions in September.

International Youth Day on August 12 draws attention to the concerns of young people and highlights the importance of their social and political participation. In an interview with Kathrin Fehse of the German Children and Youth Foundation, learn how families can foster democratic skills and civic engagement in their daily lives.

When boredom sets in during vacation, smartphones, tablets, and computers can be more than just a way to pass the time. klicksafe shows how children and teens can use digital media creatively and offers tips for a variety of projects—from photography to creating their own radio plays or animations.

As of August 1, 2026, the legal right to full-day care will take effect—initially for all first-grade students. It will then be expanded to include one additional grade level each year. What does this mean for families? Are there any costs involved? And what happens during school breaks? Our overview answers the most important questions.