On behalf of the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Health and Equality of the State of Saxony-Anhalt, nexus is implementing a state-wide project to improve the framework conditions for municipal volunteering. The aim is to remove structural barriers to the political participation of women and to support local authorities in making local political involvement more gender-equitable and more compatible with professional and family commitments.
The focus is on a practice-oriented advisory service for selected pilot municipalities in Saxony-Anhalt. Together with municipal stakeholders, nexus analyzes existing framework conditions, identifies the need for action and develops solutions. This includes workshops, consultations, good practice research and the development of specific tools to promote a family-friendly meeting structure. The development of the offers is based on research and analysis of data on the political participation of women at municipal level, in which the Harz University of Applied Sciences is supporting the project.
Based on the insights and results gained throughout the project, nexus develops guidance materials and training concepts for gender-equitable local governance. The project will ultimately produce recommendations to help municipalities create fairer conditions for local political volunteering and achieve more balanced representation in local political offices.
Duration: 04/2026 – 07/2027
Client: Ministerium für Arbeit, Soziales, Gesundheit und Gleichstellung des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt
Project partner: Harz University of Applied Sciences
Team: Tzvetina Arsova Netzelmann (PL), Christiane Dienel (scientific director), Wiebke Blum,
Photo: Launch of the Network for Female Mayors in Saxony-Anhalt, September 2024
(Photo: Aktionsprogramm Kommune)