Tirschenreuth district: Successful strategies against demographic change!

Tirschenreuth district: Successful strategies against demographic change!

In the Tirschenreuth district, demographic change is viewed not only as a challenge, but also as an opportunity. As a pilot municipality, the district has launched a comprehensive project by the Bavarian State Ministry of Finance and Community to develop strategies to deal with this issue. Loud Tirschenreuth district This program was launched from October 2021 to September 2025 and aims to help municipalities develop solutions.

As part of the project, a comprehensive demographic analysis was carried out by the GEWOS Institute. Citizen participation was promoted through “demographic workshops” and a digital participation tool. Under the guidance of Ines Riermeier and Gero Wieschollek, concrete measures were developed based on the results of this analysis.

Strategy for a future worth living

One of the most important players in this initiative is Violetta Meyer from Innohuman, who took over the process support and strategic design. The demography committee in the district office developed concrete project ideas in workshops together with example municipalities such as Waldershof and Bad Neualbenreuth. The resulting homeland and demographic strategy includes more than 30 recommendations for action, which are divided into five central areas of action:

• Wohnen und Nahversorgung
• Gesundheit und Pflege
• Gesellschaft, Bildung und Kultur
• Mobilität
• Wirtschaft

The projects that have already been implemented include the “club driving license”, further training measures for specialists in daycare centers and the development of a demographic coloring book for primary school students. A reading for seniors is also planned as part of Bavarian Dementia Week. These measures are of great importance for the positive development of the district, as District Administrator Roland Grillmeier emphasizes.

Looking into the future

The projects under this strategy are not only locally important; they also serve as a source of inspiration for other municipalities in Bavaria. Demographic change has far-reaching effects on society and the economy, as well as the Federal Agency for Civic Education makes clear. With an aging population, social security systems and political framework conditions must also be adapted in Germany. By 2050, around 5 million people will be over 67 years old, while the number of employed people in the 20-66 age group is expected to fall by 7 million.

This not only means a change in demographic structures, but also challenges for the labor market and the political level. The forecasts clearly show that without targeted reforms, poverty in old age poses a serious threat. The region is well advised to develop strategies at an early stage in order to be able to meet future requirements.

Mayor Margit Bayer from Waldershof and Klaus Mayer from Bad Neualbenreuth emphasized the importance of citizen participation in this process. The vision of this strategy is clear: “The Tirschenreuth district – a place where people feel at home, discover opportunities and generations shape the future together.” With a budget of 193,334 euros, 90% of which is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry, the municipality has created the necessary financial basis for the implementation of these promising goals.

It remains exciting to see how the Tirschenreuth district masters the challenges of demographic change and at the same time promotes the positive development of the region.