Designing the future: New course for Wels and Eferding starts now!

Designing the future: New course for Wels and Eferding starts now!

In the communities of Wels and Eferding, a lot is happening: A new project called "Co-Design-Zukunge" starts to give committed citizens the necessary tools to actively tackle future topics. The certified course is organized by the Wels-Eferding Forum under the direction of chairman Ralph Shäfer. The goal is clear: the participants should develop ideas that provide concrete impulses not only for the future of the communities, but also for sustainable development.

The course comprises five modules in which the participants deal with social trends and the challenges of regional development. The focus is on topics such as climate protection, local core, local supply, social issues and mobility. Together it should be researched how to manage these challenges and which methods such as "Design Thinking" can be used. The target group ranges from local political actors to club representatives to students - everyone who has a good hand for the future of their communities.

online information event

If you want to learn more about the course, you can take part in an online information event that takes place on July 3 at 6 p.m. Further details can be found on the homepage of the Wels-Eferding forum. It is the right time to be there, because the concept of co-design is not just a keyword, but an important methodology to solve complex problems. In areas such as climate adjustment or public health in particular, the cooperation of different interest groups is crucial, as is learningForsustainability.net.

Co-design means that the problems are not determined in advance, but develop through the perspectives of the participants. This not only promotes creativity, but also the acceptance of the developed solutions, since all voices are heard. The method requires solidarity together and creates space for different perspectives and approaches to find solutions together.

view outside the box

The important aspect of participation is also treated in other educational offers, such as in the CAS (Certificate of Advanced Studies) at the ZHAW in Zurich. From October 2025 to June 2026, experts from city, community and regional development can deepen their knowledge of interdisciplinary cooperation there. The modules include the basics of social interior design, methods of cooperation and participation as well as approaches to integration ...

The sustainable development of cities and municipalities lives from the active participation of their residents. Projects such as "Co-Design-Zukunft" set the course for committed and future-oriented community work. In times when the term sustainability plays an ever greater role, there is an excellent opportunity here to actively help shape and contribute to the positive development.