Diversity in Municipalities

ZUKUNFT braucht VIELFALT – This initiative by the Economic Development Agency aims to strengthen the commitment to diversity as a driver of innovation, resilience, and talent acquisition, and to combat racism, exclusion, and discrimination within corporate culture, thereby highlighting diversity as a key location factor for the future of the Hannover region. The further development of corporate culture with regard to diversity is linked to changes in mindsets and organizational processes.

To bring the topic of diversity into sharper focus for companies throughout the Hanover region, customized events or event series on the topic of diversity can be organized to meet local business needs.  

Consortia comprising at least three municipalities in the Hanover region, as well as the Hanover region itself, are eligible to apply. One municipality acts as the consortium lead, while the other municipalities are involved as partners. A maximum of 15,000 EUR is available per consortium.

Application deadline for 2026: April 15, 2026 (extended to April 29, 2026) 

Funding decision for 2026: April 28, 2026 (extended to May 15, 2026)

The target audiences for the events are executives and employees of companies, as well as, in some cases, regional municipalities.

Event content (examples):

• Content on innovation, digitalization, customer loyalty, resilience, and recruitment of skilled workers in relation to one or more dimensions of diversity as defined by the Diversity Charter (i.e., age, ethnic origin & nationality, gender & gender identity, physical & mental abilities, religion & belief, sexual orientation, and social background)
• Current legal provisions (e.g., AGG, …)
• Current research and status on key topics (e.g., unconscious bias, open corporate culture, personality-based talent management, …)

Further details and minimum requirements can be found in the application form. We will be happy to send this to you upon request.