"Loneliness" Future Workshop

July 1, 2026- Working Together to Develop New Ideas for Reducing Loneliness

Loneliness can affect people in a wide variety of life situations—children and adolescents, older adults, family caregivers, people with a history of migration, or individuals going through difficult life phases. It is no longer just an individual feeling, but a societal challenge that requires new solutions.

Following the enthusiastic response to our first Future Workshop on loneliness, we are now inviting you to join our Ideas Workshop on Loneliness. Together with experts, students, volunteers, and engaged citizens, we will spend two days developing new ideas, programs, and services that can strengthen social connections and combat loneliness.

When and where?

Date: January 3 and 4, 2026
Location: LindenCity Hall , Lindener Marktplatz 1, 30449 Hanover
Time: Daily from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 8:00 p.m.

Registration:

Space is limited; participation is free of charge. Meals will be provided.
The registration deadline is August 26, 2026

To register, please follow the link below
Registration link

What can participants expect?

The ideas workshop is based on the design thinking innovation method. It focuses on the experiences of people who deal with loneliness in their professional or personal lives. To begin, interview guests will share stories from their own experiences and provide insights into different realities of life. Building on this foundation, interdisciplinary teams will develop creative solutions and initial prototypes.

The event will kick off with a keynote address by Mirjam Dierkes, director of the Competence Network on Loneliness, who will present the latest findings and developments on the topic of loneliness.

No prior knowledge of innovation or Design Thinking is required. What matters most is a willingness to get involved and work together on new solutions.

Who is it for?

The ideas workshop is aimed at anyone who wants to actively help shape solutions to societal challenges, particularly:

Professionals in Social Services and Healthcare
Volunteers
Students
Employees from local governments, associations, and nonprofit organizations
Founders and those interested in social innovation
Anyone interested in the topic of loneliness

Registration:

Spaces are limited; participation is free of charge. Refreshments will be provided.
The registration deadline is January 8, 2026. To register, please follow the link below:
Registration link

The Ideas Workshop is organized by the Social Innovation Center of the Hannover Region in collaboration with the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband Niedersachsen e. V., the Paritätisches Jugendwerk Niedersachsen, and Serve the City Hannover e. V.

A project sponsored by the Hannover Region and funded by the Hannover-Hildesheim Future Region