Demowa Project

According to Eurostat population statistics, population growth in the EU-25 has slowed down considerably in recent years. This trend is particularly threatening for the area of gainful employment, as it will affect the working-age population in particular from 2007 onwards. The development thus also concerns the fields of action of European cities and municipalities. While numerous quantitative findings on the perception of the problem of demographic change on the part of municipalities are available for Europe and in particular for Germany, it is unclear in detail who in the municipalities acts strategically, and in what way, to counteract concrete consequences. There is also little information about successes and problems in these activities.

The aim of the “Demowa project” is to systematically review the experiences of municipalities and to identify successful as well as less effective activities. On the basis of the study results, a European congress on age management in municipalities will be held in the town of Rendsburg in 2009, which will form the starting point for the founding of a thematic network on age management.