Projects in Danger

On the issue of combating far-right extremism, Germany seems to be sending out mixed messages. Earlier this week, the German government was slapping itself on the back for doing such a good job in implementing and funding thousands of initiatives across the country dedicated to eradicating the problem at its grass roots.

Since 2001, when the previous administration's awareness campaign against racism and intolerance was launched, some 190 million euros ($246 million) have been invested into almost 4,500 projects. The current government claimed on Monday that 80 percent of these have been successful and that Germans "can be proud of what we have achieved," according to Deputy Labor Minister Kajo Wasserhövel.

While it is difficult to assess the tangible nature of these achievements, there can be no doubt that doing something -- anything -- against far-right extremism is better than doing nothing at all.

However, while that is true, it still pays to do as much as possible to fight against the current rise in popularity of right-wing organizations. But now German government is apparently going to allow some of the successful initiatives to die through lack of funding.

Gap between funding phases could prove deadly

First in line are a number of regional projects, mostly advice centers based in eastern Germany, the current heartland of resurgent neo-Nazism. Many have been in existence since 2001 but may fold by the end of this year. The current budget for projects runs out at the end of 2006 and will not be reviewed until at least April or May 2007. For some, the gap in funding will mean redundancies and closure.

The family ministry, the government department responsible for investment in the Civitas program, hopes that the shortfall in money for these projects will be made up by the state governments or by the projects themselves.

The ministry is advocating that the work of Civitas projects be taken up by already existing youth projects in some states, which some believe will add extra organizational and financial strain to initiatives already operating on shoestring budgets.

Exit program threatened with high profile extinction

One of the best known projects which faces almost certain closure unless independent funding can be found is the Exit Deutschland program. Exit has been helping neo-Nazis escape the scene since 2000 and has helped over 250 people to start a new life away from the far-right. Bernd Wagner's organization has also set up self-help groups for parents and has organized advanced training for those attempting to reeducate former extremists.

Lena P., who did not want to reveal her full name, was extracted from a far-right group in Jena in eastern Germany in 2002. She now works as a youth counselor and believes allowing established projects like Exit to slowly die out shows a severe lack of insight on the government's part.

"Bernd Wagner recently said that if Exit helps just 100 people to leave the far-right scene, it would save the German government six million euros," she tells DW-WORLD.DE. "To keep a neo-Nazi in jail costs the state about 60,000 euros per year. Exit could do a lot of good with the kind of money.

"You can't tell me the government can't provide enough money to save these projects," she added. "And you can't tell me the ministry didn't consider the damage that the break in funding could inflict. We'll do what we can, but the future looks bleak right now."

Exit volunteers are spending a lot of their time writing begging letters to politicians and prominent people, asking for money to help keep the organization going. Many cannot believe that Wagner's work has not been recognized by the government.

Shutting the Exit door on future escapees?

"If it wasn't for Bernd Wagner and Exit, I would probably be at the bottom of the river Spree," said former neo-Nazi Axel K. "Extremists see you as a traitor for leaving and some would prefer to see you dead.

"Knowing that an organization like Exit exists makes it so much easier to leave that life behind," he added. "Without Exit, fewer members will think about leaving and those who do will be at greater risk."

Those projects that survive the funding break between December and mid-2007 will have to reapply for government funding through a new set of regulations and criteria. This means that some will still face closure as projects such as mobile consultation teams -- those called, for example, into schools when a far-right threat is uncovered -- will not be covered under certain revised rules.

Germany in need of solid resistance

All this is especially concerning considering the ebb and flow in the battle against the far-right in Germany. There is little time to savor the small victories of the education and tolerance programs when neo-Nazi soccer fans throw anti-Semitic abuse at opponents, policemen in Saxony-Anhalt are attacked by extremists and far-right parties continue to make in-roads into local governments.

The popularity of the neo-Nazi movement is on the increase, especially in the former East German states. Ministers and Jewish leaders have become increasingly vocal about the burgeoning scene, warning of appeasement and making comparisons to the ascent of the Third Reich.

"In my opinion, I think that recent political statements comparing the contemporary threat to the rise of the Nazis under Hitler in the 1930s are irresponsible," said Hannah Knauss, a historian and expert on right-wing extremism. "Saying that, together with the increase in popularity of far-right groups, the violence and the political gains, however small, these statements remind us to be ever vigilant. Hindering groups that fight fascism in Germany, especially through indirect and avoidable means like the reduction of funding, is not a clever move."