Since 2008, the action alliance "For the Dignity of Our Cities" has been campaigning for adequate funding for local authorities. What began as a working group in North Rhine-Westphalia has developed into a movement of 70 municipalities from eight federal states.

Through its campaigns, the action alliance aims to make it clear to young people in particular how necessary it is for the federal and state governments to provide more money to their own hometowns. Mayors and treasurers across Germany are involved in the cross-party action alliance "For the Dignity of Our Cities" to ensure that their respective hometowns are not ruined by austerity measures.

For decades, the federal and state governments have promised to reorganize the municipal financial system. Instead of fulfilling these promises, they have used legislation to transfer more and more additional tasks to the municipalities – without providing adequate funding. This essentially explains the high levels of debt that financially weak municipalities – including the state capital of Mainz with its manifold obligations and expenditures – will not be able to repay even in 200 years.

As a member of the cross-party action alliance "For the Dignity of Our Cities," which includes over 70 cities, municipalities, and districts, the city of Mainz is therefore also calling for a decision by the German Bundesrat on the equality of living conditions between rich and poor cities, municipalities, and districts, as postulated by the Basic Law but no longer existing in many places.

Because only majorities count in politics and calls for help usually only have an effect when "political pressure is exerted," the alliance is now also seeking the support of young people who are "active" on social networks.

Former finance department head Günter Beck, who represented the state capital of Mainz in the alliance during his time in office, said: "Many municipalities today already have their hands tied when it comes to the financial structure of municipal life due to numerous mandatory tasks – there is little left to actively shape. The years of unsupportive transfer of responsibilities to the municipalities is no longer appropriate, especially in times of a "black zero" in the federal budget, and is unfairly burdening the youngest children being born today. These future generations will have to pay off the mountain of debt – this is an unfair burden on future generations that must come to an end: urgently, quickly, purposefully, with significantly better funding for municipalities from federal allocations. There is no way around it!"