With the TOP50 Progressives, we want to draw attention to how diverse progressive politics is in Germany and how many people are committed to it (in terms of mandate politics).

The identification and publication of the TOP50 Progressives is embedded in the broader mission of BNB:

“We fight for progressive, future-oriented politics. We want to bring people into the Bundestag who will shape a sustainable and diverse future for all of us beyond party lines. For this purpose, we find courageous people from civil society and support them to succeed in their political campaigns.”

While BNB’s focus remains on supporting our eleven BNB candidates, we are putting our activities on an even broader footing through TOP50 – further strengthening the ecosystem for effective progressive politics.

The TOP50 Progressives were identified using a multi-stage selection process. First, we actively scouted for progressive candidates (analyzing, among other things, the parties’ national lists published by June 15, 2021) and also asked our BNB community (volunteers, advisors, jury, etc.) for suggestions. We also called for nominations for the TOP50 via Instagram, among others.

We then researched more detailed information about the candidates (political stances, social media presence, life history, diversity characteristics, voting behavior, if applicable, etc.). We compiled this information and provided it to our selection committee.

Our selection committee then evaluated all candidates based on a total of five criteria (for these, see the next question). The resulting “shortlist” was then the subject of several selection meetings in which the selection committee discussed each individual person. At the final selection meeting, the balance of the list was examined once again with regard to diversity characteristics, party affiliation, regions, election chances, etc., and the final selection decision was made.

Based on the information we researched (see previous question), our selection committee rated each candidate on a scale of 1 to 5 using the following five criteria: Credibility/Motivation; Integrity; Charisma/Presence; Consistency with BNB Demands in each eligible category; Consistency with BNB Demands in the other categories.

Each person on the shortlist was evaluated independently and anonymously by three persons – the average value formed from this was then the basis for the further selection consultations (see previous question on the selection process).

We honor the TOP50 Progressives in the following seven content categories:

• Climate
• Social Justice
• Migration & International Affairs
• Culture & Education
• Antidiscrimination
• Economy & Digitalization
• Special Interest

Our selection committee consisted of twelve people, including the BNB Co-Founders, BNB core team members, and the scouting team of BNB volunteers. We made sure to have a balanced, diverse membership on the committee to incorporate the different perspectives represented at BNB.

In addition to the demands of our own selection process, in which diverse perspectives have been significantly incorporated, we have also paid attention to a diverse composition in the selection of the TOP50.

BNB is not only committed to a more progressive parliament, but also to a more diverse one. From our point of view, it is essential that as many life perspectives as possible are represented in the Bundestag. That’s why we explicitly support people who represent groups that are underrepresented in the political arena. With TOP50, we also want to draw attention to how diverse progressive political engagement already is today.

We do not understand progressive as a description of a particular political camp, but in the true sense of the word: Accordingly, for us, politics is progressive if it is forward-looking. We have set out what we understand by this in our demands.

For us, therefore, all people who stand up for these demands and thus want to strengthen sustainable politics are progressive. Progressive people can therefore be found in a wide variety of parties. It goes without saying, however, that we would never support parties that do not clearly stand up for the preservation of the free democratic basic order.

The BNB candidates continue to be the focus of our activities. We have selected them through a long-term, intensive process. We have been working with most of them week by week for almost a year now and have a close exchange on content and organization.

Our nominees, as progressive speakers in their respective communities, are also among the TOP50 Progressives. Together with the additional 39 Awardees, they form a progressive network that we intend to gradually strengthen in the coming weeks and months.

In addition to the publication of the TOP50 list and corresponding press and public relations work, we are planning several networking events for the Awardees among themselves. The first meetings will take place before the federal election. For the time after election day, we want to develop further formats in which we also want to involve the broader civil society.

The TOP50 list for the federal election is already complete, as you can find it under TOP50. However, we are always happy to hear about exciting progressive candidates (or people who intend to run) – be it on the European, federal, state or local level.

You know someone who absolutely belongs in politics? Then feel free to use the contact form or send us an email to [email protected]!

For the 2022 state elections (Saarland, Schleswig-Holstein, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony), our nomination process is already underway → click here for the nomination form.