The intermunicipal association W\u00fcrschnitztal, located in the suburban region of Chemnitz on the edge of the Ore Mountains, comprises the municipalities of Neukirchen and Jahnsdorf. They merged in 2021 to increase their efficiency and promote sustainable development by utilizing shared resources and network collaboration. They actively address the societal, economic, and ecological challenges of the present and work together on creative and contemporary solutions.<\/p>\n
W\u00fcrschnitztal is characterized by a diverse club life, volunteer engagement, and strong social cohesion. Promoting political and social participation is a high priority, as evidenced by the flagship project \u201cDemocracy and Participation\u201c, which includes various subprojects such as the Youth Council and the Seniors\u2018 Council. The loss of meeting places is counteracted by creating \u201cThird Places\u201d by reactivating vacant buildings. Not only are these spaces brought back into use, but important places for social interaction are also created. One example is the culinary maker hub \u201cNETZ-Werk \u2013 Unser WIRtshaus f\u00fcr alle F\u00e4lle\u201c in a former car dealership.<\/p>\n
The networking of the two municipalities and cooperation within LEADER as well as with the cultural capital Chemnitz creates synergies and serves as a culturally and socially enriching exchange. The methods and strategies of this collaboration are particularly noteworthy, characterized by self-initiative and citizen participation. The interaction between politics, administration, and the population is exemplary, significantly supported by the comprehensive communication and information strategies of the municipalities, which offer easy participation opportunities.<\/p>\n
The pooling of resources through intermunicipal cooperation, the proactive promotion of participation, and the conceptually agile and flexible implementation of measures have significantly increased the municipalities\u2018 capacity to act, enabling the realization of interesting flagship projects that focus on education, networks, community, and sustainability, thereby significantly improving the quality of life.<\/p>\n
The project \u201cDemocracy and Participation\u201c of the Intermunicipal Association W\u00fcrschnitztal connects a range of thematic areas and sustainably promotes democratic participation and community spirit. The initiatives serve as a model for the development of a vibrant and inclusive community where every voice counts and is heard. They demonstrate that through transparency, participation, and engagement, a dynamic community can be created.<\/p>\n
The Youth Council of Neukirchen allows young people between the ages of 12 and 18 to express their ideas and wishes and to actively participate in shaping their living environment. This enriches community life while also fostering an understanding of democratic processes and encouraging participation. The Senior Advisory Council of Neukirchen succeeds in recognizing and considering the needs of the older generation. By involving them in decision-making processes, new networks are created that greatly benefit intergenerational cooperation. The Citizens\u2018 Budget in Jahnsdorf offers citizens aged 16 and over the opportunity to submit proposals for a small project and later vote on how a budget of \u20ac10,000 should be used. This strengthens local ties and enables the implementation of community-oriented ideas.<\/span><\/p>\n The Partnership for Democracy, initiated by the mayors and supported by a competence center, significantly contributes to the promotion of volunteer work, tolerance, and understanding of democracy.<\/p>\n The measures in the flagship project \u201cFrom Spaces to Encounters\u201c demonstrate that repurposing is a key aspect of village development, as it prevents demolitions, secures \u201cgrey energy\u201c, and preserves identity-forming buildings within the W\u00fcrschnitztal association. Through smart revitalization of existing structures \u2013 especially those of a commercial nature \u2013 enriching communaly, cultural, and in-novation spaces are created that enhance quality of life.<\/span><\/p>\n At the center is the \u201cNETZ-Werk \u2013 Unser WIRtshaus f\u00fcr alle F\u00e4lle\u201c, where a previously vacant car dealership was transformed into a lively meeting place with a focus on local and inclusive gastronomyThis project is gradually being developed further. It serves as a hub for culinary and cultural exchange among citizens, supplies childcare facilities, and, as a recognized MakerHub, promotes the connection between creatives, entrepreneurs, and the cultural region through the program \u201cMakers Business & Arts\u201c.<\/p>\n The careful renovation of the historic \u201cPost\u201c inn in Jahnsdorf into a barrier-free cultural center for events of all kinds greatly enriches social, cultural, and economic life. The repurposing of the primary school in Adorf into a community center also helps to eliminate vacant spaces and create places of communal encounter based on commitment, creativity, and cooperation.<\/p>\n Evaluated: 2024
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