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Arne Weychardt

Project description: Achieving more together

In Germany, people in need of assistance are supported by a wide range of non-profit organisations and volunteers. Our goal is to make this collaboration more effective.

[Translate to English:] Modellkommune

Develop new models

We test and establish new models for collaboration and participation together with municipalities and non-profit organizations. We analyse structures and services in the areas of open child and youth work, the open work for seniors and aid to refugees. Our partner municipalities are Dessau-Roßlau, Hannover, Langenfeld and Pirmasens (all in Germany).

[Translate to English:] Studien

Enhance knowledge and understanding

We need a deeper understanding of how existing collaboration in different areas addresses the following questions: How can we plan and act together in spite of having to compete for scarce resources? What does effective distribution and coordination of social services between state and civil society look like? What do we need for increased involvement and engagement by the recipients of these services? How can we measure and illustrate the impact of collaboration and coordination? To answer these questions we conduct surveys and studies, the findings of which will be published and freely accessible.

apirmasens

Pirmasens – children’s and youth services in the “Pact for Pirmasens”

In 2009 Pirmasens decided to experiment with a new method in order to improve the opportunities for the city’s youth population. The “Pact for Pirmasens” was developed, setting up a framework in which all relevant stakeholders active in the field were invited to coordinate their activities and develop new services together. Today, about 50 organizations and volunteers work together under the auspices of the Pact. The entity receives donations totalling around 60.000 Euro per year.

Rathaus Hannover

Hannover – new models for services targeting seniors and youth

In 2003 Hannover created a new structure for the open work for seniors, in which all services are coordinated by the “Municipal Seniors’ Service of Hannover” (KSH). By creating a network of providers and their offerings, the KSH seeks to facilitate a self-determined life as well as strengthen participation in social life. Since 2012, Hannover has also been working on developing and implementing collaborative models in the field of youth services, reorienting its approach to youth services by engaging voluntary organisations and young people themselves.

Zwei Statuen in Langenfeld.

Langenfeld – people-oriented services for senior citizens in the districts

Since 2002, Langenfeld has concerned itself with its demographic challenges. The city developed innovative citizen participation procedures and created district-wide networks incorporating information, counselling and support services with the aim of improving the transparency of services available to the elderly and their families. Since 2011, the city uses a neighbourhood-approach to facilitate healthy, long, and independent lives for the elderly in their own district. Citywide meetings between the cooperation partners, district offices and the municipal administration ensure the citywide coordination of concrete measures with all relevant parties.

Dessau

Dessau-Roßlau – needs-oriented and collaborative youth and children’s services

Since 2010, Dessau-Roßlau has implemented a new strategy for its youth and children’s services in order to adapt the services to their changing needs and environment. The main focus lies on the collaboration between non-profit organizations, the municipal administration and the youth population. Dessau-Roßlau wants to enhance and support the existing potential of its youth while removing old barriers. The aim is to establish an attractive living environment for young families, thus responding to current demographic challenges.