Visions for a German-Polish health region

On 26 June and 16 July 2026, the first two of three German-Polish networking conferences took place. The aim of the AGEPOL workshop project, implemented jointly by the German-Polish Health and Social Services Association (DPGSV) (DPGSV) and the Social Services for Structurally Weak Regions chair at the Department ofSocial Services is to bring together stakeholders from local authorities, the social economy, academia and civil society, and to develop visions for a German-Polish health region.

The starting point is the question of how healthcare, social participation and the quality of life for older people in the German-Polish border region along the Oder and Neisse rivers can be sustainably improved.

In workshops on topics such as loneliness, social participation, care and medical provision in the border region, participants identified fundamental needs for a good quality of life in old age. Demographic trends, a shortage of skilled workers and tight local authority budgets are shared challenges on both the German and Polish sides. However, the social and healthcare systems operate very differently. There is a need for much greater mutual understanding and knowledge-sharing. On both sides of the border, there are also numerous examples and initiatives that work well and from which lessons can be learnt.

A German-Polish health region requires ideas, committed people and sustainable structures. “By introducing prospective professionals to these issues whilst they are still studying and raising their awareness of cross-border cooperation, we are training the professionals of tomorrow who will help bring this vision to life,” says Prof. Dr Alexandra Retkowski.

The third networking conference (information and registration) will take place on 27 August 2026 in the Görlitz region.

Further information on the AGEPOL project