This year's Misereor Lent campaign was launched on Sunday in the parish church of St Peter and Paul in Hofheim, Hesse, with a service broadcast live on ARD television. Under the motto "This is where the future begins", the Catholic development aid organisation invites people to reflect on the situation of young people in disadvantaged regions of the world during Lent. Using the example of training projects run by Misereor's partner organisation CODAS-Caritas Douala in Cameroon, it becomes clear how people are given new opportunities and a dignified life through the promotion of vocational training and personal development.

Hildegard Wustmans, Episcopal Plenipotentiary in the Diocese of Limburg, and Georg Bätzing, Chairman of the German Bishops' Conference and Bishop of Limburg, expressed in a dialogue sermon the many questions that go through their minds when they think about the future: "What future are we heading for in the face of a geopolitical situation that is unsettling and frightening many people around the world?" - "What kind of future are we heading towards when the earth is being exploited, resources are being stolen and climate change is advancing?" - "And where do we stand then? On which side? With those who are left behind, are not recognised and at best are waiting for benefits?"

The future doesn't start just anywhere

This is precisely where the fasting campaign comes in, emphasised Wustmans. "It looks into the realities of young people's lives. It directs our gaze to Cameroon to young people who are denied opportunities and rights for social reasons. To young women and men who want to rise and get ahead, but can't because they are unable to finance their own education, for example."

Misereor Managing Director Andreas Frick opened the Lenten campaign with an appeal for solidarity: "The future doesn't start just anywhere. It begins exactly where people strengthen each other. Where solidarity is lived. Where we don't look away, but act."

Imaginative fundraising campaigns

With its Lent 2026 campaign, Misereor wants to draw attention to the aforementioned global connections and inspire people in Germany to get involved - through donations, personal commitment and solidarity. Numerous people in parishes, schools, kindergartens, associations and One World groups collect donations during Lent for Misereor, which supports more than 3,000 projects by partner organisations in development cooperation in 83 countries. On the 5th Sunday of Lent, 22 March, the collection for the work of Misereor will take place in all Catholic parishes in Germany.