"This is where the future begins" is the motto of Misereor's Lent 2026 campaign. Under this motto, the Catholic aid organisation for development cooperation is inviting people to join Misereor projects in Cameroon in working towards new prospects for the future and vocational training for the younger generation.
The Lent campaign, which asks for donations for Misereor's work between Ash Wednesday and Easter, also encourages self-reflection: "What do I really need? How can I get involved? What can I share? This time, the focus will be on the growing global problem of youth unemployment. Most recently, more than 20 per cent of 15 to 24-year-olds worldwide were neither employed nor in education or training. In Cameroon, the situation is particularly precarious: 70 per cent of the inhabitants of the capital Douala are under the age of 35. Many of them live below the poverty line. There is a lack of jobs and training places - social recognition and participation fall by the wayside. In addition, without access to training, they usually only have the option of informal employment, which in turn perpetuates precarious living conditions and a lack of prospects. With its Lenten campaign, Misereor wants to draw attention to this vicious circle, focus on vocational training as a way out and, together with partner organisations, open up paths to a fairer educational future.
"Promoting vocational training - creating prospects"
The 2026 Lenten campaign will focus on the work of Misereor's partner organisation CODAS-Caritas Douala. In Cameroon, a country characterised by conflict, poverty and structural inequalities, CODAS supports young adults on their way to an independent life through a good education. The organisation helps by covering part of the training costs, opening up promising professional fields for training young people and supporting young people entering the labour market. The personal stories of the participants confirm this: Vocational training changes lives. It creates security, strengthens resilience and promotes social cohesion.
With the Lent 2026 campaign, Misereor not only wants to draw attention to global connections, but also inspire people in Germany to get involved - through donations, personal commitment and solidarity.
Opening in the diocese of Limburg
The Lent Campaign 2026 will be launched on Sunday, 22 February, in the diocese of Limburg as part of a festive church service. It will begin at 10 a.m. in the parish church of St Peter and Paul in Hofheim and will be broadcast live on ARD television. During Lent, Misereor, which works with partner organisations in 83 countries in Africa and the Middle East, Asia and Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean, provides information about its project work and asks for donations. The Lenten campaign is brought to life by groups in parishes, schools and organisations as well as through educational, lobbying and advocacy work and imaginative fundraising campaigns. On the 5th Sunday of Lent, 22 March 2026, donations will be collected for Misereor's work in all Catholic parishes in Germany.
Children's Lent campaign for people aged five to twelve
In parallel to the Lent campaign, Misereor is also organising the children's Lent campaign again in 2026. The character "Rucky Reiselustig" will be travelling in Cameroon and reporting on the situation of young people and Misereor's project work. Parishes, schools and groups of children aged five to twelve are invited to take part. A wide range of materials have been created for this purpose. They are available for download at www.kinderfastenaktion.de.
