Erfurt (dpa/th) - The CDU parliamentary group has asked the state government to quickly release aid for clubs from the special energy fund. We are talking about six million euros, which should benefit the clubs quickly and unbureaucratically via the voluntary foundation. "Club homes and rooms must continue to be heated and the increased costs for club operations must be compensated for," said Beate Meißner, a member of the state parliament, on Sunday. "In order to maintain this social life, the clubs now need security." Because in addition to higher costs, they would have to contend with failures in membership fees and tight municipal coffers.

In October, the state parliament decided to set up a special fund of 407 million euros due to the massive increase in energy costs. This is intended to support the economy, but aid is also planned for school authorities, kindergartens, hospitals, clubs and private households. The Ministry of Social Affairs has not yet managed to use the funds for the intended purpose, Meißner criticized with regard to the aid for clubs. The Thuringian Volunteer Foundation has shown in the Corona crisis that it can bring such help to the clubs quickly and unbureaucratically.

The foundation receives its money from the state, according to earlier information it was around 3.5 million euros last year. This was used, for example, to finance the "Aktiv vor Ort" funding program, which provided financial support to 485 clubs and initiatives. According to the foundation, around 750,000 people are involved in various areas on a voluntary basis in the Free State. The foundation is their point of contact for many practical questions related to voluntary work. It supports volunteer agencies, for example, and is an intermediary between volunteers and state authorities, and says it helps to use funding in a targeted and effective manner.