Workshop Series: ‘Social Challenges in the Ahr Valley’
Since November 2024, we have been holding a practical workshop two or three times a year to maintain close contact with the people of the Ahr Valley. This enables us to tailor our research as closely as possible to the region’s needs and to report on our interim findings in a timely manner. The more detailed documentation of the workshops can only be provided in german at this moment.
The series of events is supported organisationally and financially by the "Wissenschaft für den Wiederaufbau" / 'Science for Reconstruction’ (WfdW) competence network at Koblenz University of Applied Sciences and by the Zukunftsregion Ahr e.V. association.
Community-based and Climate-friendly Housing Projects
April 29th 2026 - Universty of Applied Science Koblenz (Location Remagen)
The keynote presentations provided a fascinating introduction to the topic: one on alternative forms of housing by Hans-Dieter Villmow from the Rhineland-Palatinate State Working Group on Communal Living (LAG GeWo RLP), and another on a best-practice example of a large-scale housing project by Wohnsinn Aachen e.V., with Managing Director Frank Renkewitz offering an insight into the initiative.
In the second half of the event, four small focus groups then gathered and discussed the potential and obstacles of the various forms of housing, specifically for the Ahr Valley. In particular, multi-generational housing projects were highlighted as a means of combating poverty in old age and social isolation. Local initiatives find the search for suitable sites, financing options and the associated bureaucratic processes particularly challenging. The two representatives from the Investitions- und Strukturbank RLP were able to provide valuable information on this directly on site and highlight funding opportunities.
At the same time, however, there was also discussion as to whether communal housing projects could be given an even better start by adapting existing regulations and funding guidelines. Furthermore, there is a need for further networking opportunities between all stakeholders involved in order to further develop the ideas gathered.
Meeting Places during Reconstruction
November 3rd 2025 - Universty of Applied Science Koblenz (Location Remagen)
As part of a so-called ‘gallery walk’, information on numerous meeting places in the Ahr Valley was gathered. During this process, participants compiled an initial overview of existing facilities on display boards. A total of 43 meeting places were identified, stretching from Sinzig to Ahrdorf, and preliminary trends regarding the distribution of locations, operating bodies and target groups were observed.
SOZIAHR is currently conducting a structured survey of all identified meeting places based on this, which is intended to provide reliable figures on specific services, volunteers and support needs. By widely distributing the survey within SOZIAHR’s practical network, the aim is also to include further, previously undiscovered meeting places in the overview. The results of this inventory and needs analysis will be made publicly available and can serve as a database for the digital guidance system proposed in the workshop.
In the in-depth working groups, six key objectives for the promotion of community centres in the Ahr Valley were identified, which involve not only the community centres themselves but also public bodies and businesses as relevant stakeholders.
June 11th 2025 - Universty of Applied Science Koblenz (Location Remagen)
Various organisations came together for an in-depth discussion to jointly develop strategies for cooperation and coordination among aid organisations and associations, as well as for promoting voluntary work.
A key proposal arising from this is the establishment of an umbrella alliance of all aid organisations in the Ahr Valley. Among other things, this is intended to facilitate the joint development of guidelines for emergency situations, in which responsibilities, resources and services are clearly assigned to the various stakeholders so that they can act efficiently in the event of a crisis.
In addition, further concrete solutions were identified, such as temporarily converting voluntary roles into paid positions in the event of a crisis, information brochures on voluntary work in the region for new pensioners, an expansion of training opportunities in the social sector, and support for the Volunteer School.
The participants also called for greater appreciation and visibility of (voluntary) work in the social sector – particularly on the part of politics and administration.
March 18th 2025 - Universty of Applied Science Koblenz (Location Remagen)
During this workshop, participants discussed problem areas and potential solutions for improving support for vulnerable groups during the reconstruction process in the Ahr Valley.
Pascal Koffer reported on his experiences in providing psychosocial emergency care in the aftermath of the flood and noted that, amongst other things, this leads to reduced psychological strain and a more positive approach to stressful situations among those affected. Frauke Weller from the Sinzig Water Sports Club provided interesting insights into the WassAHR inclusion project, which focuses on giving children with disabilities positive experiences with water.
There is a call for an expansion of financial and non-monetary assistance, for psychosocial support and counselling services, as well as community centres and social networks. Furthermore, the participants have expressed a clear desire for a central administrative contact point to handle all matters relating to regional aid organisations and associations.
November 18th 2024 - Universty of Applied Science Koblenz (Location Remagen)
The workshop was introduced with Keynote speeches by Armeen Kolians from the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund and by Frank Rost and Claudia Rieckhoff, both from the Traumahilfezentrum, who provided an insight into the current challenges people in the Ahr Valley are facing three years after the floods.
The participants then discussed the four identified problem areas in small groups: the well-being of individuals, support for vulnerable groups, social cohesion, and the framework conditions for aid organisations and associations. The focus was on exploring what concrete next steps are necessary for a resilient and socially just reconstruction process, and how social science research can support this.
