Citizens wanted: Develop social concepts for Bavaria's rural regions!

Citizens wanted: Develop social concepts for Bavaria's rural regions!

The research project to investigate social cohesion in rural regions has begun in Bavaria. Carried out by Nuremberg Georg Simon Ohm Technical University, this project aims to capture citizens' ideas for strengthening social cohesion. The project is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance and Homeland and is expected to last until 2026. Various surveys and in-depth projects are also planned in the coming months to analyze the framework conditions of social cohesion in detail.

The first and second surveys on social relationships and attachment to one's place of residence have already been completed, while the third survey on public welfare orientation and commitment will take place from September 17th to October 17th, 2025. Prof. Dr. Sabine Fromm leads the project, and the results of the first two surveys are already available online. Citizens are invited to take part in the surveys; It is possible to carry out the survey via the project website. Data protection is a top priority because the results should be presented anonymously and without recording IP addresses. The conditions for participation are also straightforward: the survey takes about ten minutes and participants should be at least 16 years old.

Strong social cohesion in rural regions

The Ministry of Homeland Affairs has published the results of a current study by the Nuremberg University of Technology, which attests to impressive social cohesion and a high level of willingness to help in rural areas. Finance and Home Affairs Minister Albert Füracker expressed his delight at the positive living conditions, which young families as well as the middle generation and senior citizens rate critically. The vast majority of people in Bavaria are connected to their place of residence and their region. This promotes a feeling of home and community.

The President of the Nuremberg University of Technology, Prof. Dr. Niels Oberbeck, highlights the scientific study of the feeling of home. The research project “Home – more than a feeling” is part of the homeland strategy “Offensive.Heimat.Bayern 2025”, which aims to further strengthen cohesion and identity in rural areas by spring 2026.

Challenges for integration

Another research report highlights the challenges that refugees face in rural areas. Although 93 percent of Germany is considered rural and more than half of the population lives there, migration and integration are often associated with urban phenomena. However, the influx of refugees and the residency regulations have also focused on rural regions.

The BAMF Research Center has analyzed the special conditions that exist in rural areas. These include inexpensive housing and closer social contacts, but also challenges such as limited mobility, bus connections that often only run once a day and varying levels of infrastructure. Access to housing as well as education and the labor market are key factors for the integration of refugees. While many refugees live in western German cities, rural areas are increasingly playing an important role as a place of residence, making integration even more difficult.

The results of the project to study social cohesion in rural areas and the findings on the challenges of integration will be published on the project website at the end of 2025. sinzing.de bayern.de bamf.de