Hesse’s sustainability strategy – new methods of collaboration for a future worth living

In the spring of 2008, the state’s Prime Minister Roland Koch officially launched Hesse’s Sustainability Strategy (NHS). The goal: To make life in ecologically sound, socially just, and economically strong, both today and in the future. The state chancellery is seeking support from IFOK as a sustainability, dialogue, and PR expert to strategically plan and organise the process.

In the spring of 2008, Prime Minister Roland Koch presented the sustainability strategy to the public. Together with its customer, IFOK has since then been banking on the broad participation of all stakeholders and interested parties in the state in order to develop a sustainable future in Hesse. Online survey, youth conference, or joint work in the strategy’s committees – the broad dialogue is raising people’s awareness of a sustainable lifestyle, motivating them to get involved, and promoting new project ideas. Good examples can be communicated quickly and easily, more and more people in Hesse are taking part, and the strategy’s foundations are growing. Around 650 stakeholders from all parts of society have been working in project groups since the end of 2008. The particular challenge resulting from expanding the activities is that the goals and the content of the sustainability strategy must be communicated across the board in a comprehensible way. Only this will inspire large numbers of people to participate. The organisers particularly want to see young people get involved in the projects and activities. IFOK planned and organised two youth congresses in which young people from the whole of Hesse developed ideas for special youth projects. In the second youth congress, the participants also drew up proposals for a youth initiative within the sustainability strategy. In addition to the youth congresses, IFOK appointed a youth council, ensuring that the views of the young generation are always incorporated in the sustainability strategy decisions.