Dear Chapter members and all those interested in project management,

I wish you all a healthy, happy, and successful New Year 2026 – filled with confidence, energy, and the courage to shape new ideas.

With December 2025, the PMI Germany Chapter has grown for the 20th consecutive month. This is a remarkable achievement and a strong signal that our community is relevant and attractive to many people. At the end of 2025, our Chapter had 4,827 members, making it – albeit by a narrow margin – the largest PMI Chapter in Europe. This growth does not happen by itself. It is the result of commitment and a vibrant community.

2026: A year full of opportunities – and a real turning point

2026 will be a special year. Starting in February 2026, PMI will introduce a new membership model. In the future, new or renewed PMI memberships will automatically be assigned to the Chapter corresponding to the member’s place of residence. For existing Chapter members, nothing will change. For PMI members in Germany who have not previously been affiliated with a Chapter, however, this will make a significant difference: an estimated 6,500 people are expected to join our community, and we will be delighted to welcome them.

This represents an enormous opportunity and, at the same time, a great responsibility.

The opportunity lies in developing the PMI Germany Chapter into the leading voice of project management in Germany. To achieve this, we will need to adapt our structures in 2026 so that we are perceived as a strong, relevant, and modern platform, without losing our strong focus on members.

My aspiration and wish for our Chapter

The PMI Germany Chapter will become a recognized authority for project management in Germany and contribute tangible value to society.

To make this possible, we need to professionalize some of our operational activities. Not because we want to move away from our identity as a volunteer-led and volunteer-driven organization, but because growth brings new demands: more members, more offerings, more communication, and more coordination. This requires us to focus our efforts on these challenges and to handle administrative routine tasks through AI-based solutions or external support.

Volunteers remain our backbone

Despite all change, one thing remains constant: our volunteers are the beating heart that keeps every part of the PMI Germany Chapter alive. Without volunteers, we would not function. Our volunteers are not just supporters; they are enablers and shapers. For this reason, it is a personal priority for me that our Chapter remains an attractive and meaningful place for voluntary engagement in 2026 as well – a place where people can take responsibility, grow, build networks, and create results together.

Shaping 2026 together

2026 will challenge us, and at the same time open up new opportunities. I am convinced that if we stand together as a community, we will not only manage this year but turn it into something truly great.

I would like to thank all of you for your contributions: our members, our sponsors, everyone interested in our network – and especially our volunteers.

Let us use 2026 to make the PMI Germany Chapter even more visible, more effective, and more relevant – as a home for our members and a strong voice for modern project management in Germany.

With this in mind, here’s to a successful year 2026.

Warm regards,

Wolfgang Friesike 
President, PMI Germany Chapter