Together we are building a social center in Göttingen's prison!

In our city, there is a lack of public places where people can spend their free time without financial outlay. In addition, healthcare provision often does not take sufficient account of social factors. As a result, social and health services are not accessible to everyone, which particularly disadvantages those who already receive little support. 

Our work therefore focuses on creating more public spaces that are available to the people of this city for meeting, exchanging ideas and helping each other, free from the pressure to consume, as well as supplementing the city's healthcare services.

We are therefore planning to convert the former prison in Göttingen into a community center with a solidarity health care center. This center is intended to serve the entire neighborhood and urban society and in particular benefit children and young people as well as people who otherwise receive little support. Although municipal studies recommend the social use of the former prison and funding is available, the city does not currently see itself in a position to implement this.

Various local groups, including the Gesundheitskollektiv Göttingen (health collective), the Forum Waageplatz-Viertel (neighbours initiative) and the Falken youth association, are involved in the project. The groups are contributing their expertise and networks to develop the community center in line with the needs of Göttingen's residents.

We are planning to submit the application for pruchasing the old prison by June 1st. If the application is successful, a renovation phase of around three years will follow, during which we want to use parts of the building for initial activities.

For the successful implementation of the project, we need expertise in architecture, construction planning, legal advice and finance. The donations cover the costs and also provide start-up funding for purchasing and renovating the prison.

Further information can be found on our website → https://sozialeszentrum.de/

FAQ:
Why do we want to buy the former prison?
We are committed to fighting gentrification and the sale of municipal properties. Despite many years of efforts to implement this project with the city, the city of Göttingen lacks necessary resources. The purchase of the 1200 m² building by our initiative is the only way to make it accessible to the public and prevent it from being sold to private investors. Through a special guardian structure in our statutes, we ensure that the building remains off the market in the long term.

What happens if the city sells the building to another bidder?
If the city sells the old prison elsewhere, we will look for opportunities to implement our idea at another location and use the money for this project that pursues the same goals.