Shaping the future of Jena together

How can institutions of higher education and local authorities in Germany work together to tackle pressing social challenges such as climate change, skills shortages and social integration? This is the question behind the "Transformationslabor Hochschule" funding programme initiated by the Stifterverband. With their project "MitmachFORUM Jena - New Public Health", Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the City of Jena are among the eight selected collaborations from all over Germany. 

The new projects of the "Transformationslabor Hochschule" funding programme have now been launched with a two-day kick-off event in Berlin. The aim of the programme is to strengthen institutions of higher education and local authorities in Germany as active and competent shapers of regional transformation processes.

In a one-year process, innovative approaches for the organisation of cooperation and participatory formats are now being tested, which will provide impetus for the future. The Jena project, which is being managed in tandem by the University and the City, centres on the topic of "New Public Health". Once completed, the FORUM, the future communication and meeting centre of the University of Jena, will serve as a place to establish this long-term collaboration.

Further developing Jena as a model region for social innovation

Dr Dana Strauß, initiator of the project and Head of Network and Cooperation Management at the University of Jena, emphasises that the transformation lab offers a unique opportunity to further develop Jena as a model region for social innovation: "The project not only strengthens the connection between science and society, but also creates a platform on which the university and the city can work together with citizens to develop new solutions for the challenges of the future."

The Vice President for University Community and Engagement at the University of Jena, Prof. Dr Bärbel Kracke, emphasises the concrete impact on the quality of life of local people: "The Transformation Lab enables us to intensify cooperation between science and society and to develop models that contribute directly to improving the quality of life of citizens in the long term."

Impact beyond the campus into the city

For Dr Thomas Nitzsche, Lord Mayor of the City of Jena, cooperation between the City and the University is essential: "With this project, we are creating a model project for innovative approaches that will have an impact beyond the University campus and into the City, decisively strengthening Jena's future viability."

A particular focus of the project is on health promotion and the development of new approaches in the field of "New Public Health". Kathleen Lützkendorf, Head of the Department of Social Affairs, Health, Immigration and Climate of the City of Jena, declares: "Our aim is to develop cooperative models that deepen the health dialogue with citizens and develop sustainable strategies for the region." Dr Franziska Alff, Head of the Health Promotion Office of the City of Jena, adds: "We are developing health strategies that combine scientific findings with the local community in order to sustainably improve the health of the population and promote a broad dialogue on health issues in our city."

The "Transformationslabor Hochschule" is funded by the Stifterverband with financial support of 25,000 euros as well as a comprehensive continuing education and coaching programme that helps the teams to further develop and implement their innovative ideas. Digital workshops and networking meetings provide a platform for dialogue and promote collaboration between the partners from the City and the University.