Economy for the Common Good: Marburg-Biedenkopf district takes on pioneering role
The district administration of Marburg-Biedenkopf is the first district administration in Germany to successfully complete a common good report in accordance with the criteria of the Economy for the Common Good (GWÖ). The district is thus sending a strong signal for transparent, responsible administrative action. The process was professionally advised and accompanied by Dr Anke Butscher, certified GWÖ consultant at corsus GmbH.
The aim was to systematically examine, evaluate, and further develop the effectiveness of administrative action in key areas of public welfare such as human dignity, social justice, ecological sustainability, solidarity, and democratic participation. “We wanted to know how well we are already positioned and where we can still improve. This assessment is an important step toward further strengthening our responsibility for the common good,” emphasizes District Administrator Jens Womelsdorf.
As part of the process, numerous organisational units within the district administration worked on analysing the interfaces between stakeholder groups and values, reflected on administrative actions and examined the impact on people and nature in the district. The focus was on social-ecological public procurement, sustainable financial management, employee relations and services for citizens, among other things. corsus provided technical and methodological support for the process, advised the steering group and organisational units, and ensured the quality of the results in line with the GWÖ standard.
The evaluation of the Common Good balance sheet shows an overall positive result: in the five value areas of human dignity, solidarity, ecological sustainability, social justice, and transparency and democracy, the district administration achieved an average rating of ‘advanced’ to ‘experienced’. In addition, key areas for development were identified that can be used to consolidate and further develop the common good in the district.
District Administrator Jens Womelsdorf (centre) with the ECG consultants (from left to right)
Birte Kruse-Gobrecht, Gerd Lauermann, Jan Koltermann and Dr Anke Butscher
The Common Good balance sheet ties in with existing sustainability activities in the district, including the municipal implementation of Agenda 2030 and the award as a Global Sustainable Municipality in Hesse. The completed process has created a solid foundation for the continuous development of public welfare-oriented administrative structures. The GWÖ report and further information are available here (in German only).
‘It was an intensive and exciting development process, and it became clear that the district administration employees put a lot of energy, expertise and commitment into this project. We wish them every success, perseverance and constructive cooperation for the further implementation, so that the ideas developed can have an impact on the common good,’ explains Dr Anke Butscher.
