„Mensch, wir bewirken hier doch ’was“. Zur Bedeutung Sozialer Orte in strukturschwachen ländlichen Regionen

Structurally weak rural regions are currently facing growing (infra)structural problems and gaps in public services. This clouds the future prospect, and many, especially young people, are moving away. In a research project, we examined innovative. civic initiatives that can nevertheless be found in such regions. We asked ourselves what difference these initiatives make to the local quality of life and to social interaction in the local area, and whether they can bring about positive change in their regions. Based on their characteristics, our case studies from six federal states can be described as Social Places. The effects observed show that Social Places have innovative potential and can improve both the material and social quality of life in the local area. They create an enhanced set of options for the local population, even though these options are only partially used. But even in this case, innovative Social Places serve as laboratories for new ideas, offering people the opportunity to take action themselves, to network, and to work together toward a desired future for their region.