Nordstadts' Business Network Enhancement for Seamless Workplace Interconnections
In the heart of Pforzheim, Germany, a significant initiative is underway to revitalise the North City II neighbourhood. Funded by the "Education, Economy, Work in the Neighbourhood - BIWAQ" program, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development and Building, and the European Union through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus), the project, known as "WIN.Pf - Perspectives," aims to enhance the prospects of citizens living in disadvantaged areas.
At the core of this project is the local economy, which is managed by GBE mbH Pforzheim. The company plays a pivotal role in fostering local initiatives and establishing a business network that serves as a bridge between the city administration, businesses, service providers, craftsmen, small and micro entrepreneurs, and new forms of urban production.
The business network, established in the North City II urban renewal area, is designed to provide essential resources, mentorship, and market opportunities for small businesses and startups in the neighbourhood. By doing so, it aims to help these entities navigate the challenges often faced by disadvantaged neighbourhoods, such as structural change, high unemployment, and transfer rates.
The network also functions as a platform for businesses to engage with the urban planning department during planning processes. This collaboration ensures that the needs of local businesses are considered in the neighbourhood's urban development, thereby fostering a more sustainable and inclusive growth.
Project manager Bianca Junk is conducting a business survey to identify local issues and needs, with the intention of creating an overview of vacant commercial properties in the neighbourhood. In the long term, the organization and implementation of network events in the neighbourhood are planned, further strengthening the business network and promoting the project's goals.
Local businesses, an integral part of the network, act as employers, providing jobs to the community. The ultimate aim is to establish a network of small and medium-sized enterprises from the North City II urban renewal area, contributing to the neighbourhood's economic growth and social cohesion.
By focusing on disadvantaged neighbourhoods, initiatives like WIN.Pf can help reduce economic disparities, providing opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship. In doing so, they contribute to a more equitable and prosperous city for all its citizens.
- The business network in the North City II neighborhood, part of the WIN.Pf project, is sponsored by GBE mbH Pforzheim and focuses on finance by offering essential resources, mentorship, and market opportunities to small businesses and startups.
- As technology advances, the business network is expected to leverage it to enhance business operations and services in the neighborhood, ultimately contributing to the growth of local businesses in the North City II urban renewal area.
- As part of the education-and-self-development aspect, project manager Bianca Junk aims to gather insights from local businesses through a survey, which will aid in devising strategies for job creation and entrepreneurship in the disadvantaged neighborhood.
