Small medium-sized towns in North Rhine-Westphalia

Around 50,000 people live in the spa town of Bad Oeynhausen in the Minden-Lübbecke district. Just over 16 percent of the population are under the age of 18, while more than 22 percent are over the age of 65.

Family-friendly services

The Family Office "Kurstadtkind" with its associated app combines expertise in areas such as early help, prevention, social and youth welfare advice.

The Café Kind & Kugel offers pregnant women and young parents an opportunity to get to know each other, while the K2 network bundles cultural educational opportunities for children and young people.

The children's and youth parliament has been an integral part of democratic participation in Bad Oeynhausen for several years. Twice a year, elected representatives meet with the city administration. Members of the youth parliament also have the right to speak in the youth welfare committee. Children's consultation hours are also held in all fourth grades.

The town of Borken with its 43,000 inhabitants is located in Westmünsterland near the Dutch border. Around 17.5 percent of the population is under the age of 18, while just under 23 percent is over 65.

Family-friendly offers

The town presents all offers for families relating to education, leisure and prevention bundled in the Family Guide. Younger people in Borken have access to a total of 7 youth centers for open child and youth work, which offer a wide range of activities.

In the project "Tapetenwechsel", people of different ages and backgrounds have come together and, with the support of the city, implemented a building and housing project for multi-generational living.

Deep in the west, close to the Netherlands, lies the town of Geilenkirchen with a population of 29,000. Due to its proximity and good connections to numerous universities and major cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, Belgium and the Netherlands, the town has become an international place of study.

Family-friendly services

The focus is on the published overall concept of child, youth and family support, which systematically responds to identified needs and challenges with a concrete target and action plan. Different realities of families' lives are taken into account and the services are designed to appeal to different target groups in order to reduce social inequalities and promote equal opportunities.

In addition, Geilenkirchen, as a member of the state program "Kinderstark. NRW", Geilenkirchen is also expanding preventative services such as the family portal (2024) and baby welcome packages (2025).

Geldern is located in the district of Kleve on the border with the Netherlands. Of the approximately 36,000 inhabitants, around 17 percent are under the age of 18 and 22.6 percent are over 65.

Family-friendly services

For young parents and their children, the doors of the "Café Kinderwagen" are open twice a week. The early help service enables parents to meet other parents and receive professional support.

Geldern also takes part in the simulation game "Pimp Your Town!", in which school pupils practise local politics and then present their decisions to local politicians. The association together e. V. provides a contact point for LGBTIQ+ young people, which also has a cabaret stage and a kitchen-cum-living room.

Once a year, things get particularly colorful in Geldern. This is when the Street Art Festival takes place with a street painting competition, music and theater.

Herzogenrath in the StädteRegion Aachen is home to around 47,000 people. Around 17 percent of the population are children and young people under the age of 18, and around 24 percent of senior citizens are over the age of 65.

Family-friendly services

The aim of the "Local Alliance for Families" is to constantly promote family-friendliness in Herzogenrath by bringing together various stakeholders in a network.

Youth outreach work is carried out in Herzogenrath with the youth mobile "Funsit" in places where young people like to spend time. Psychosocial support is also offered on a case-by-case basis.

As part of the intergenerational support project EFaS ("Volunteering for families and senior citizens"), volunteers are involved in providing everyday support and leisure activities for senior citizens.

The service center for family health "moliri" is also available in Herzogenrath via the regional Caritas association. Volunteers are also present at playgrounds with the "moliri on tour" cargo bike.