Museum Burg Linn Krefeld

Family-Friendly City 2026: Krefeld

Where Attitude Makes a Difference, Opportunities Arise

Text last updated: 2026-11-03

Promoting Opportunities for the Future

Krefeld, known as the “City of Velvet and Silk,” combines industrial heritage, green urban spaces, and diverse neighborhoods. Approximately 240,000 residents live in this major city on the Lower Rhine.

Working Together to Create a Family-Friendly Environment

Family-friendliness in Krefeld is based on a closely integrated network of prevention, neighborhood outreach, children’s rights, and civic engagement. 

The Coordination Office for Community Work brings together various areas of responsibility and develops tailored support structures for children, youth, and families. This work is based on the municipal poverty report, prevention chains, and social neighborhood management in twelve neighborhoods. Families are reached where they live: through outreach counseling, neighborhood-based support services, community gathering places, and low-threshold access to education, participation, and social services. 

At the same time, Krefeld strengthens the rights and opportunities for participation of children and youth and promotes social cohesion through strong networks.

State Award for Family-Friendly Communities 2026

The jury particularly commended the holistic and structural approach to combating child and family poverty. Rather than relying on individual projects, Krefeld focuses on a permanently established infrastructure that combines prevention, participation, and neighborhood-based work. Particularly impressive was the close integration of municipal governance, socio-spatial support, and children’s rights. The Coordination Office for Community Work thus creates sustainable conditions that strengthen families, enable participation, and promote equal opportunities. For this, Krefeld was awarded the State Prize for Family-Friendly Municipalities 2026 in the category “Comprehensive Family Policy Project.”

Family-Friendly Activities in Krefeld

  1. Children's Rights on Tour

    The “Children’s Rights on Tour” project raises awareness and educates children in daycare centers, schools, and other institutions about children’s rights. This mobile program is aimed specifically at children in disadvantaged neighborhoods and provides age-appropriate information. The project is supplemented by materials in simple language, which provide children with barrier-free access to decision-making and social participation.

  2. Krefeld for Kids

    Under the umbrella of “Krefeld für Kinder,” associations, companies, foundations, and citizens work together to support socially disadvantaged children. Through charity events, fundraising campaigns, and creative projects, additional funds are raised to support programs for children and families. The network combines social engagement with concrete support and makes solidarity in Krefeld visible.

  3. Strengthening Families in the Neighborhood

    A particular focus is placed on social neighborhood management. In twelve neighborhoods, Krefeld is providing local access to counseling, as well as educational and participation services. Services such as outreach counseling on the benefits included in the education and participation package, or the option to register for daycare at the neighborhood office, are particularly helpful for families who would otherwise be difficult to reach. This creates low-threshold support structures directly within the families’ living environments.

The Other Award-Winning Municipalities for 2026

The cities of Bochum, Detmold, Dortmund, and Düsseldorf, as well as the Ennepe-Ruhr district, were also recognized either for their comprehensive family policy plans or for an innovative individual project.

“A Home. For Families.”: Under this motto, the Ministry of Family Affairs in North Rhine-Westphalia announced the 2026 “Family-Friendly Municipality” state award. Municipalities were invited to apply for the award by submitting their comprehensive family policy plan or an innovative individual project.