Germany’s 68th Carol Singing Campaign Fights Child Labour in 2025

A 68-year tradition blends festive song with urgent action. This year’s campaign targets child exploitation—starting with the goods on German shelves.

, and Administrator

2026 January 24 . 7:21 PM

1 min read

The image shows a group of children standing next to each other in front of a microphone, with a... — The image shows a group of children standing next to each other in front of a microphone, with a woman standing beside them. On the right side of the image there are some chairs, and in the background there is a wall with lights attached to it. The children appear to be singing, likely at a national assembly.

Germany’s 68th Carol Singing Campaign Fights Child Labour in 2025

Germany’s annual Epiphany Carol Singing Campaign will return in 2025, marking its 68th year of raising funds to combat child labour. Organised by Christliches Medienhaus and published by SCM R. Brockhaus, the event calls on thousands of parishes to sing carols and collect donations for disadvantaged children worldwide. This year’s focus is Bangladesh, where child labour remains a critical issue.

The tradition began in 1959 and has since raised over €1.4 billion for children in around 90 countries. Last year alone, more than 7,300 parishes took part, collecting over €48 million. Yet the need remains urgent: in 2025, 138 million children aged 5 to 17 are still forced to work, with 54 million trapped in hazardous or exploitative conditions.

This year’s campaign runs under the motto ‘School, Not the Factory Floor’ and highlights the presence of child labour-produced goods in German markets. Local leaders are showing support, including Willich Mayor Christian Pakusch, who welcomed carol singers at Neersen Castle alongside Deputy Mayor Dr. Sarah Bünstorf and other officials. As part of the tradition, Pakusch also had the blessing ‘C+M+B’ inscribed above his office door. The event combines festive singing with advocacy, urging communities to donate and raise awareness about child labour’s global impact.

The 2025 campaign will channel funds into projects helping children escape exploitation, particularly in Bangladesh. With decades of success behind it, the initiative continues to unite parishes, local leaders, and donors in a shared effort. Organisers aim to build on last year’s record participation and donations.