Project data

Summary of the project

The aim of this project is to strengthen resilience in a selected municipality (Donnersbergkreis) and promote health literacy in this rural area with the involvement of citizens. Citizens will be invited to take part in public forums to reflect on which resilient and health-promoting structures can be identified in the region.

The project focuses on the following research questions:

1. What characterises existing concepts for strengthening resilience and promoting health literacy in rural areas, particularly with regard to citizen participation?
2. What quality of life/health-related issues affect people in the Donnersberg district? Which spatial, ecological, economic and socio-cultural characteristics influence the resilience factors of citizens in the region? (social space analysis)
3. On the basis of this analysis, what key aspects should characterise the concept of a new social space-oriented and citizen-involved, resilience-based health service in the Donnersberg district?
4. How effective and efficient is such a new approach in the Donnersberg district?

The study is being conducted using a mixed-method design that incorporates both quantitative and qualitative elements. Following a detailed literature analysis and research of statistical data, a theory-based analysis of the social space was carried out first. This was followed by specific social space inspections using socio-spatial methods and spontaneous interviews with the aim of collecting further quantitative and qualitative data. Furthermore, an analysis of the current situation was carried out with the involvement of all regional organisations. Citizens' forums, which were held at four different times, were also used to collate qualitative data using the activating survey method. The data collected was analysed by the team at several project meetings in the Donnersberg district and at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences. The final project report is currently being prepared, which will contain a detailed presentation of the results.