Coordination of municipal development policy

Think globally, act locally - municipal development policy in the city of Aachen

What does our city have to do with global development? Quite a lot.

Municipal development policy means that we take responsibility locally - for good coexistence here and worldwide.

This includes all measures with which the city of Aachen is committed to sustainable and public welfare-oriented development, both locally and internationally.

Since October 2024, there has been a dedicated coordination office for municipal development policy (KEpol). The office is funded by Engagement Global with its service center "Communities in One World" (SKEW) with funds from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and is located in Department I of the Lord Mayor in the "Administrative Management, Policy and Dialogue" department (FB 01) in the "Protocol and City Partnerships" department (FB 01/400).

What exactly is it about?

Our aim is to further develop the city of Aachen in a sustainable and future-proof manner - in line with the 2030 Agenda and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In doing so, we are building on what already exists:

• The city of Aachen has been a Fairtrade Town since 2011
• There are regular Fairtrade fairs and campaign days
• Topics such as education for sustainable development and international cooperation are already firmly established.

These activities and many more will be more closely interlinked and strategically developed. This will turn many individual projects into a common, clear path.

Developing joint ideas and networks

A city-wide concept for municipal development policy is currently being developed. Existing activities are being recorded and concrete measures developed in short workshops and discussions.

The focus is on:

• Fair trade and fair procurement
• Education for sustainable development
• Global cooperation

Within the administration, close cooperation across departments ensures that activities and measures are well coordinated and resources are used sensibly. A fixed working structure has been established for this purpose: A cross-departmental steering group and thematic subgroups accompany the process and ensure coordination within the administration.

If you are interested in further information on the composition of the actors involved, please contact the coordination office.

Strengthening international partnerships

Cooperation with our twin cities Cape Town (South Africa) and Chernihiv (Ukraine) is an important component. Joint projects, regular exchanges and encounters create new perspectives and practical solutions. Exchange programs, e.g. for schoolchildren, also bring these partnerships to life.

Participate and help shape

Municipal development policy thrives on participation. This is why the City of Aachen works closely with local initiatives, such as partnership associations and other committed stakeholders.

Together, we want to raise awareness of global connections and promote sustainable action in everyday life.

A step into the future

With the new coordination office, the City of Aachen is pooling its existing commitment and developing it further in a targeted manner. Together, we are taking a further step towards becoming a responsible, internationally networked and sustainable municipality.

Contact: Karolina Kohl, karolina.kohl@mail.aachen.de, 0241 432 7321