Women shaping the city – exchange and perspectives in Erfurt

The joint event of the Urban X-Change Network II project between VHS Erfurt and Kalisz Women’ Council took place in Erfurt, Germany from 10th until 13th of July, 2025, under the theme “Women shaping the city – exchange and perspectives”. It brought together women from various sectors in Erfurt and Kalisz, including representatives from local government, educational institutions, and civil society. The aim was to foster dialogue, build partnerships, and explore the role of women in inclusive urban development.

Over the course of two days, participants engaged in a rich program of institutional visits, cultural exchange, and strategic discussion. A visit to Erfurt City Hall opened the dialogue around inter-city cooperation and shared urban challenges. Particularly impactful was the visit to the Frauenzentrum Erfurt (centre for women Erfurt), where the group learned about support programs for women with migration backgrounds, low income, or psychological needs. This exchange provided valuable insights into inclusive practices that could be transferred to Kalisz, sparking ideas for future collaboration between the Women’s Council of Kalisz and Erfurt-based institutions.

The program also included a thematic walking tour of Erfurt’s historic city center, creative workshop at egapark, and shared meal that encouraged informal networking. 
A central moment of the meeting was the public panel discussion “Frau macht Stadt” (Woman makes/creates City) held at Café Nerly. Moderated by Anna Allstädt, the panel featured voices from both cities—ranging from social work and environmental entrepreneurship to political advocacy and sport. Panelists reflected on the question of who shapes our cities, and how women’s perspectives and experiences must be actively included in urban development processes. The discussion reinforced the importance of collaboration between local governments, grassroots initiatives, and civil society organizations to ensure gender equality in city planning and governance.

Another important outcome of the meeting was a workshop session where participants reviewed the achievements of the project, discussed open tasks. Both sides expressed a strong desire to maintain the momentum of the project by launching small joint initiatives and continuing knowledge exchange.

Two days of workshops, discussions served as a stepping stone toward deeper and more structured cooperation between women in Erfurt and Kalisz. It reaffirmed the power of transnational collaboration, mutual learning, and solidarity among women in shaping inclusive, equitable, and resilient cities.