Engaging with Local Communities at the Ehrenamtstag in Nochten
On 29 May 2026, the University of Cologne team joined ASSETS practice partner Soziales Netzwerk Lausitz (SNL) at the Ehrenamtstag in the Findlingspark Nochten, Boxberg/Oberlausitz. Organised by SNL, the event brought together people from self-help, neighbourhood support, civil society and politics to exchange experiences, connect with one another and reflect on the role of engagement for social cohesion.
Presenting ASSETS and Exploring Local Impact
As part of ASSETS, the team used the opportunity to present the project and talk with participants about how the impact of social economy organisations can be made more visible, understandable and useful for local development.
Hearing from the Community: An Interactive Participation Format
A key element of the contribution was an interactive participation format inviting visitors to share their views on the region, including:
- How are people doing? – reflecting on general wellbeing across the community.
- What kind of support is accessible? – mapping existing services and resources.
- Where are the greatest needs? – identifying gaps in local provision.
- What do people wish for the future of their region? – gathering aspirations for development.
Connecting Social Economy, Participation and Quality of Life
The conversations and responses highlighted how closely social economy, participation and local quality of life are connected, with topics such as health and care, mobility, meeting places, youth perspectives, participation and social cohesion central throughout the day.
Many thanks to SNL for hosting the event and for the ongoing collaboration within ASSETS. Encounters like these show why co-creation with local actors is essential for developing meaningful tools, stronger networks and more inclusive social economy practices.
