LOCAL NETWORKS CAN MANAGE DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE AND KEEP UP THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

摘要

In Germany demographic change is already visible: especially in rural areas population is decreasing and at the same the remaining population is getting older which is connected to new requirements regarding their quality of life. Local policies thus have to bundle resources and initiate tri-sectoral cooperation as well as cooperation with other communities in order to be able to maintain adequate and socially just living standards. In this respect the problems of building and maintaining the relevant networks will be the topic of this paper referring to network theory as well as practical experience in community projects. One focus will be on a project that the author has been managing since January 2016 for the German Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth as part of a part-time delegation from university. The so-called “Demography Repairshop for Communities” is designed to fix problems resulting from demographic change by monitoring and providing consulting advice to eight selected communities of various sizes and (geographical, economic, social, demographic) backgrounds. As part of the project the entire range of potential problems a community might have as part of demographic change are dealt with: mobility, care, welfare services, leisure time activities, shopping facilities etc. The communities try to find innovative solutions to demographic challenges by forging alliances and networks, between social actors as well as between local entities.