Loneliness can only be addressed if many sectors play their part. Two German cities have recently launched initiatives to build that commitment.
In September 2026, the city of Essen announced the Essen Charter on Preventing and Combating Loneliness (Essener Charta zur Verhinderung und Bekämpfung von Einsamkeit), with the support of LONELY-EU patron Hendrik Wüst, Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia. The charter brings together organisations, institutions, companies, associations, and initiatives across the city. It covers belonging and social connectedness, social infrastructure, cooperation and networks, and making existing structures sensitive to loneliness. Signatories commit to taking loneliness into account in their work.
Neighbouring Bochum is moving in the same direction. In July 2026, 30 local institutions from industry, research, education, administration, and sports signed the Bochumer Verabredung (Bochum agreement). They committed to helping make Bochum “a city where people notice when someone is missing”. The agreement was initiated by the grassroots organisation Vereint.Bochum, in which LONELY-EU coordinator Maike Luhmann is involved.
