Major Cities and Counties in North Rhine-Westphalia

Bottrop has a population of approximately 118,000, of whom 16 percent are under the age of 18 and slightly more than 23 percent are over the age of 65. 

Family-Friendly Services

The focus on family-friendly development is an integral part of the city’s overall development strategy and is enshrined in its guiding principles. 

Through the “Early Intervention” network and its associated portal for searching for services, expectant parents, parents with children up to age three, and professionals can find the information they need. 

The numerous family centers, neighborhood offices, and intercultural community centers offer a wide range of local services for families. Among other things, these locations host family cafés, language classes, a summer program for children, and activities for seniors.

The city of Herne, with a population of approximately 162,000, is part of the Ruhr Metropolis. About 18 percent of the population is under 18 years of age. In contrast, about 22 percent are 65 years of age or older.

Family-Friendly Services

The city’s numerous family offices play a central role in shaping and developing family-friendly initiatives. Several times a month, for example, an intergenerational Family Breakfast is held in various city districts several times a month, during which family-oriented programs from partner organizations are presented.

With the media kit “Diversity Has Many Faces,” professionals at child care centers can teach children about diversity in an age-appropriate manner.

Oberhausen, the “cradle of the Ruhr industrial region,” has developed into a vibrant and diverse city. However, structural change continues to pose challenges for the region.

Family-friendly services

With the project “Wir im Revier,” the city of Oberhausen provides early, locally accessible support to families with children aged zero to six. Open consultation hours, multilingual counseling, and outreach services are based in familiar locations such as daycare centers and family centers, making it easier for families facing challenging circumstances to access access to support. A central component is the Educational Family Support Program: It provides parents with direct support in their daily lives, for example with childcare, household management, health issues, or dealing with government agencies. Through close coordination between daycare social work, early intervention services, parenting support, and other counseling services, families receive coordinated support from a single source.

In the far west, the Heinsberg district connects ten cities and municipalities—and with them, a wide variety of social and living environments. Approximately 260,000 residents live here.

Family-Friendly Services

The Heinsberg district supports families through a community-based network. Six family elementary school centers serve as local contact points where families can receive information and support early on. In addition, the “Municipal Circles” bring together schools, daycare centers, youth services, healthcare providers, local governments, integration programs, and community organizations to identify local needs and develop appropriate solutions. The “kinderstark” platform provides digital access by consolidating the wide range of services available for families, children, and youth. Here, parents can also find a direct way to express their wishes and needs and thus participate in the further development of these services.

The predominantly rural district of Höxter is home to approximately 140,000 residents. With its ten towns and 124 villages, the district of Höxter is one of the largest districts in North Rhine-Westphalia in terms of area. 

Family-Friendly Services

Through its municipal prevention network, the Höxter district is pursuing a long-term strategy to ensure that all children have equal opportunities as they grow up. Through close collaboration between politics, administration, education, health care, community organizations, and other stakeholders, duplicate structures are reduced and services are coordinated. A particular focus is placed on children’s participation: In Future Workshops, elementary school children share their perspectives; the results are incorporated into planning and new programs. A digital guide and an online search portal help parents find information and resources.

The Lippe district consists of sixteen municipalities and includes cities as well as small towns and villages. About one-quarter of the district’s total population of approximately 357,000 are families with children.

Family-Friendly Services

The municipal prevention networks form the foundation for family support in the Lippe District. Here, the various stakeholders collaborate to ensure that families receive appropriate, practical support from pregnancy through the children’s coming of age. Through the SPROSS Home Visiting Service, parents receive personal counseling and information about available services as early as the first few weeks after birth. The Children’s Rights Center makes children’s rights visible and tangible through workshops, idea labs, and an interactive experience course. Another key focus is the Lippe Family Support (FABEL), an association of 75 small and large companies in the district. The FABEL service advises employees and businesses on balancing family, caregiving, and work, and supports companies in further developing family-friendly structures.