The Probewohnen project of Eisenhüttenstadt
Eisenhüttenstadt, a city of 25,000 inhabitants on the border with Poland, has launched the “Probewohnen” program (living in test) to attract new residents. The initiative provides for a Free two -week stay in an apartment furnished in the city center, interviews with potential employers and a rich program of recreational activities that includes evening meetings in local pubs and excursions in the surrounding forest region.
The answer was surprising: over 500 people have already applied, including an American family of seven people and candidates from all over the world. The term for applications is set on July 5thwith the experience that will take place in September.
A city with a unique story
Eisenhüttenstadt has a particular history: founded in the 1950s as Stalinstadt, it was the first city built from scratch after the Nazi period, conceived as a model of socialist city where work and family life could integrate harmoniously. The city revolved around the large steel plant that still today, although reduced, remains the economic heart of the territory.
After the German reunification, the population collapsed from 53,000 to less than half, with a massive exodus above all of young people in search of job opportunities elsewhere. Many of the peripheral prefabricated buildings were demolished, while the elegant neoclassical buildings of the 1950s were carefully renovated.
The challenges of this
The city has to face several critical issues. The strong support for the extreme right of alternatives Für Deutschland, which has obtained almost 40% of the votes in the local elections, creates image problems that discourage potential qualified candidates. Paradoxically, the perception of decline feeds consent for parties which then contribute to worsening the image of the city.
Despite this, many residents describe Eisenhüttenstadt as a welcoming and open place. Rentals are extremely accessible (about 6.50 euros per square meter), crime is practically absent and the quality of life is high, especially for families with children.
Opportunities for the future
The initiative is part of a moment of transition for the local industry. ArceloMittal, owner of the steel mill, is investing in the production of green steel with low environmental impact, another betting for the city.
The program is designed to attract above all young professionals who could benefit from the new methods of work such as smart working, exploiting the costs low and the quality of life to build a dynamic career in a less stressful context of the big cities.
How to apply
The “Planning now and tries to live in Eisenhüttenstadt” project is aimed exclusively at people residing in Germany or in the EU in possession of a valid work permit and who are seriously thinking of definitively moving to Eisenhüttenstadt. To fill in the requested documents there is time until 5 July at this link
A replicable model
Eisenhüttenstadt’s experience is not isolated: different communities of Eastern Germany are experiencing similar programs to combat depopulation. The success of these initiatives will depend on the ability to overcome prejudices and demonstrate that, despite the difficulties, these cities offer concrete opportunities for those who are willing to bet on a different future.
The bet is ambitious: to transform what some see as decline into an opportunity for a new generation of pioneers, just like it happened 70 years ago when the city was founded with a visionary spirit.
