The inner cities of Salzgitter - Lebenstedt and Salzgitter - Bad are benefiting from the EU funding program "Perspektive Innenstadt" and are launching the "Kleine klimagerechte Forum" as their first project. The aim of the "City Center Perspective" funding program is to enable new uses and qualities of stay in city centers that have been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Last spring, Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel, as Vice President of the Lower Saxony Association of Cities and Towns, had already made a strong plea to the state government to revitalize the inner cities in Lower Saxony with an immediate program.

In July 2021, the city council of Salzgitter decided to apply for the funding program and develop specific projects. The Lower Saxony Ministry for Federal and European Affairs and Regional Development has since decided that up to 1.8 million euros from the funding program will be reserved for the city of Salzgitter in addition to the 1.5 million euros applied for by the city. The funding rate is 90 %. According to the funding guidelines, the first project must be applied for by March 31, 2022. Further projects can be added until June 30, 2022. The project proposals were discussed in advance with the "inner city" working groups in Lebenstedt and Bad and supplemented with further proposals and requests for changes. The "small climate-friendly forum" was presented to Salzgitter's South and North local councils at the end of 2021. All projects must be approved by the city council.

"With the first project "Small Climate-Friendly Forum", we are setting a first milestone for a whole bundle of projects to revitalize the two centers in Lebenstedt and Bad," explains Klingebiel. "We have chosen a project in the field of nature and climate protection because we consider this topic to be very important and it can be implemented quickly. What's more, the results of the funding are immediately visible to the citizens and the benefits are immediate."

A total of 25 solar benches with a WLAN connection are being funded in both centers, so that the benches not only serve as seating, but can also be used to charge mobile devices. It is also possible to surf the internet, as the solar benches serve as a WLAN hotspot for the open and free WLAN. The benches are supplemented with fog technology to lower the ambient temperature and drinking fountains for refreshment. The locations chosen are the area around the "In den Blumentriften" Stadtmonument in Salzgitter-Lebenstedt and the "Schützenplatz/Vorsalzer Straße" area in Salzgitter-Bad.

"With the "Small Climate-Friendly Forum", we want to improve the quality of life in both centers and send a signal for digitalization and the use of renewable energies," said Klingebiel.

Further projects from the funding program are being planned.