Dear people of Wiesbaden,

This year, the "Wiesbaden engagiert!" campaign week will take place from September 12 to 19. During these days, non-profit organizations and companies will work together to implement meaningful projects. In the 21st edition, the participants are also involved in various areas such as social affairs, culture, education and nature conservation.

The action weeks of previous years show what can be achieved when everyone pulls together. The commitment of associations and organizations, companies and all other participants has enriched our urban society for more than twenty years.

Wiesbaden engagiert!" was created by Hildegunde Rech, then head of the youth work department at the Office for Social Work. Her guiding principle: all children and young people everywhere in Wiesbaden should grow up well. In order to achieve this goal, she established contacts with companies to win them over as "partners of young people". What began as a day of action in 2005 developed further in the years that followed: more companies joined in, the day became a week and the projects became more diverse from year to year. Wiesbaden engagiert!" is now the largest initiative of its kind in Europe.

Well over a thousand projects have been realized in recent years. In the social area, a barefoot path with a Kneipp element was created for the Montessori children's house thanks to the active support of schoolchildren. The interests of other groups were also a focus, for example at barbecue evenings or dance cafés for senior citizens, a party for foster children and their families or sporting activities for people with and without disabilities.

The participants in the action week are also involved in cultural activities: With the support of volunteers from the volunteer center, a grandstand was built on an overgrown plot of land just a few days before the first performances - the cultural jungle of the cultural association Sommertheater im Nerotal. This project shows what is possible in the short term when people work together.

Nature conservation and environmental protection also play a major role in "Wiesbaden engagiert!": during the campaign week, the participants regularly maintain orchards and ensure that species-rich habitats are preserved in our cultural landscape. In addition, gardens and green spaces are enhanced, raised beds are built and insect hotels are created.

And last but not least, there are the know-how projects in which companies support the facilities with their knowledge. As part of workshops and training sessions, important skills are taught to the facilities and competencies are strengthened.

What I particularly appreciate about the "Wiesbaden engagiert!" campaign week: Contacts are made - on many different levels. Not only do partnerships develop between non-profit organizations and companies, "Wiesbaden engagiert!" also brings people together who might not have met in everyday life. By working in the organizations, the participants on both sides get to know other realities of life and thus develop new perspectives on our urban society. This strengthens togetherness and a sense of community in Wiesbaden in the long term.

I am therefore particularly pleased to be the patron of "Wiesbaden engagiert!". So far, over 140 projects have been registered for this year's campaign week. This high level of interest shows that many Wiesbaden residents want to get involved for their fellow citizens and their city. Our after-work party for all participants on Friday, September 19, in the Kerschensteinerschule at the end of "Wiesbaden engagiert!" offers a good opportunity to get into conversation with live music and food.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committed companies, the institutions, the organization team and the participants. They make the Action Week what it is by contributing a great deal of energy, passion and empathy. I wish everyone a successful week, great projects, inspiring encounters and many wonderful moments.

If you are thinking about volunteering or taking part in "Wiesbaden engagiert!" next year, please take a look at our next year, please take a look at our subpage on volunteering in Wiesbaden. There you will find all the important information about volunteering opportunities and advice services.

Gert-Uwe Mende
Lord Mayor