Erfurt is betting on social innovation: Focus on health promotion and housing quality in February 2026

Social Affairs and Housing: Erfurt Is Investing in Innovation and Structure

In February 2026, the city of Erfurt took decisive steps in social and housing policy at several levels. The Committee for Social Affairs, Labour Market and Equality focused in particular on three central topics: the promotion of social projects, the introduction of a pilot project "Health Kiosk" and the improvement of quality in shared accommodation. These measures reflect a broad understanding of social justice and municipal responsibility.

Promotion of Social Projects: Investment in Community

As part of the 2026 budget planning, several projects of the State Centre for Social Cooperation (LSZ) were supported. For example, Kontakt in Krisen e.V. received a grant of 65,274.94 EUR for the project Ilvershilfen, which offers low-threshold advisory and support services. In addition, the city supports the project Spirit of Generations of the Spirit of Football e.V. with 48,000 EUR, which promotes intergenerational meeting places and integration.

These grants are not only a financial expression of social work, but also a clear political signal: Erfurt is investing specifically in projects that strengthen social participation and reduce social tensions. The selection of projects underlines the focus on disadvantaged population groups, such as single parents, migrants and seniors.

Health Kiosk: Pilot Project for Social Equality

One of the central political projects is the introduction of the pilot project Health Kiosk. The aim is to improve healthcare in socio-economically disadvantaged districts such as Rieth, Moskauer Platz or Herrenberg. The kiosk is intended to serve as a low-threshold, multilingual and culturally sensitive meeting place that is also helpful for chronic illnesses or when dealing with official procedures.

As part of the implementation, a budget of 10,000 EUR from the 2026 budget year will be provided for the Drosselberg Centre. The city plans time-limited health and advisory consultations, prevention formats and workshops. An evaluation report on the effectiveness of the project is planned for the first quarter of 2027.

The decision for the project reflects a modern understanding of health, which no longer sees health exclusively as a medical matter, but as a social and structural issue. At the same time, the health kiosk is an attempt to supplement existing structures and close gaps in care – especially in districts with a high risk of poverty.

Housing Quality: Shared Accommodation in Focus

Another focus of the February session was the introduction of a quality management system for Erfurt shared accommodation (GUs). In the future, refugees are to be more actively involved in life planning through a structured feedback system and improved access to the internet.

Key measures include, among others:

• Anonymous surveys of residents to assess their living conditions.
• WLAN access in all GUs by 2030.
• Leisure activities and micro-funding up to 500 EUR for sports, language and childcare.
• Budget for purchases beyond minimum standards.

These measures show that Erfurt does not only see the accommodation of refugees as a mere necessity, but actively wants to integrate them into urban society and enable their participation. At the same time, an approach of vulnerability orientation is also being pursued, taking into account special protection needs.

Reactivation of the Local Alliance for Families

At the end of the February session, the reactivation of the Local Alliance for Families was discussed. The alliance, founded in 2007, had lost momentum in recent years. Now, a specialist day in the fourth quarter of 2026 is planned to develop new work priorities. The focus is on promoting the compatibility of work and family life as well as the participation of families in decision-making processes.

The reactivation of the alliance is another step towards an integrated family policy, which not only offers material support, but also social and structural relief. A coordinator within the municipal administration will coordinate the implementation, and a working group will accompany the alliance.

Outlook: Erfurt as an Innovation Engine for Social Justice

The decisions of February 2026 show that the city of Erfurt is not only responding to social challenges, but actively developing solutions. With pilot projects such as the health kiosk, the improvement of quality in shared accommodation and the reactivation of the family alliance, Erfurt is relying on innovation, integration and cooperation.

In the future, it will depend on whether these projects achieve their goals and whether they can be embedded in existing structures. Erfurt is moving towards a social policy 2.0, which not only wants to solve problems, but also to strengthen resources and sustainably change societies.