Bremen celebrates strong neighborhood program for cohesion and participation
Since 1998, the "Living in Neighborhoods" (WiN) program has been fostering community spirit, enabling people to connect and shape their neighborhoods together. More than 200 guests from politics, administration, associations, initiatives, and the neighborhoods themselves celebrated this successful Bremen model at the anniversary event in the Upper Town Hall. The anniversary celebration offered not only an opportunity to reflect on the past but also to look ahead to the years to come.
Modern urban development brings together
Özlem Ünsal, Senator for Mobility, Construction and Transport, emphasized in her welcoming address: “For over 25 years now, with Living in Neighborhoods, we have been demonstrating how modern urban development works in Bremen: socially, vibrantly, and collaboratively designed. WiN brings people together, strengthens our neighborhoods, and gives the districts a strong voice.”
“We are building community”
“Together with urban development funding, we are not just creating spaces made of stone and concrete, but places for encounters and participation. Bremen is not just building houses – we are building community. This unique interplay of construction and social commitment strengthens Bremen and its neighborhoods. We will continue to develop it with full energy and determination,” added Senator Ünsa.
WiN as a unique interplay of construction and social work
The WiN program combines social work in neighborhoods with urban development. While urban development funding creates spaces – from neighborhood centers to vibrant public squares – WiN fills these spaces with life: with cultural projects, neighborhood festivals, educational programs, language courses, health and prevention projects, and many other initiatives. Claudia Schilling, Senator for Labor, Social Affairs, Youth, and Integration, says: “Living in neighborhoods can achieve everything: language acquisition, job market orientation, adult education, tutoring for children and young people, even new playgrounds. I know of hardly any other funding program that has proven so successful.”
Interdepartmental collaboration creates improvements
“Through exemplary interdepartmental cooperation between the social affairs and construction departments, we have so far implemented around 6,700 projects on a wide variety of topics in so-called particularly disadvantaged neighborhoods. These projects have sustainably improved the living conditions of many Bremen residents,” said Senator Schilling. She added: “The significant scope for decision-making given to local residents makes neighborhood-based living a living example of democracy, and at the same time, of self-help and self-efficacy.”
Success story from the neighborhoods
The evening's panel discussion featured both the original founders and current active members. They described how WiN has grown since 1998 and consistently adapted to the challenges of the times – from integrating refugees and providing educational programs to projects for senior citizens. It became clear that the program's visibility is particularly enhanced by the work of the neighborhood managers and the activities offered at the community centers.
Examples of successful WiN projects:
- Gröpelingen: Development of a community center, youth participation projects, strengthening of cultural and educational initiatives
- Tenever: Programs for language development and health prevention, strengthening community spirit in a diverse neighborhood
- Blockdiek and Huckelriede: Activities for children and families, neighborhood festivals, projects for senior citizens
- Hemelingen: Support for voluntary structures and educational initiatives
WiN remains closely linked to urban development funding
Since its inception, the "Living in Neighborhoods" program has gone hand in hand with urban development funding in numerous areas. While investment-oriented urban development funding addresses urban planning deficiencies and provides new impetus for construction, urban redevelopment is accompanied by resident-led projects through the "Living in Neighborhoods" program. As a result, in all "Living in Neighborhoods" areas, a total of approximately €130 million in urban development funding has been invested in the neighborhoods over the past 25 years – one-third of which was federal funding.
Positive points for Huckeriede and Hemelingen
The successes are particularly evident in the Huckelriede area, which was recently released from the funding programs. There, a new neighborhood center has been built on the Cambrai Triangle with approximately one million euros in urban development funding. This center is being intensively used by the neighborhood management team and by local WiN projects. In Hemelingen, the "Mobile" neighborhood center serves as the central hub for implementing WiN projects within the district. This center also received approximately one million euros in urban development funding.
Looking to the future: Things will continue reliably
To ensure WiN can continue to have an impact in the future, the relevant departments are already preparing for the next funding period from 2026 to 2031. The goal is stable and reliable financing, clear integration with urban development funding and other programs, and streamlined procedures for local implementation. Neighborhoods need reliable structures, and local residents need planning security. The aim is to secure WiN's long-term viability so that this program can continue to make a difference – for the city's districts and for Bremen as a whole.
Anniversary celebration honors dedicated individuals
Bremen is a land of strong neighborhoods because people here take responsibility, get involved, and stick together. This success would not be possible without the dedication of the many volunteers, organizations, and neighborhood managers. They received great thanks and recognition at the anniversary celebration.
Source: Press Office of the Senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen, The Senator for Construction, Mobility and Urban Development / The Senator for Labour, Social Affairs, Youth and Integration, Press Release , 18.09.2025