Election Program English

EUROPA – Moving Europe, shaping Münster

For a strong, open European civil society and intensive city partnerships, Volt calls for:

• Erasmus for workers to promote the ongoing exchange of new ideas, know-how, and successful projects between Münster and its partner cities.
• Promoting exchange between associations through closer cooperation with our partner cities, establishing contacts, and providing space for workshops and training sessions.
• the establishment of a joint mobility platform with Dutch cities, e.g., cross-border car-sharing offers or a joint bicycle axis.
• the expansion of the Welcome Desk into a multilingual, comprehensive contact point, supplemented by a volunteer sponsorship network.

ECONOMY, DIGITALISATION – Strong economy, efficient administration

For a powerful, innovative and green economy in Münster, Volt calls for:

• promoting Münster as a location for innovation in green technology by pooling innovation funds, mentoring and modern workplaces in innovation centres and strengthening exchanges with partner cities and regional networks.
• stronger promotion of a vibrant start-up culture e.g. by offering more flexible rental agreements.
• the promotion of Münster as a “battery city” through municipal investment in battery storage, the promotion of innovative solutions, and citizen participation in energy projects. – as in Tangermünde.
• administrative services that are secure and accessible online at all times – as in Tallinn.
• a central, secure data platform with uniform interfaces for cross-agency use of municipal data – as in Amsterdam.
• more open source and european software, strong data protection – as in Barcelona.

HOUSING – Home instead of campsite

For more affordable, livable housing, Volt calls for:

• a four-digit number of new apartments with a focus on urban social housing – as in Vienna.
• preferential allocation of urban land to public welfare-oriented cooperatives, e.g., through models such as leasehold – for falling rents, as in Zurich.
• modern forms of living such as multi-generational houses, “living in exchange for help” or “tiny houses.”
• a new, socio-ecological district.
• a obligation for landlords to provide information on rents and vacancies and a vacancy tax – as in Landau.
• livable, barrier-free neighborhoods with little to no through traffic (exceptions for loading and unloading, for tradespeople, caregivers, etc.), more green space, and more room to move around – like the “superblocks” in Barcelona.
• affordable housing for trainees through city-supported housing models, comparable to student services – as in Hamburg.

EDUCATION – Diverse, social, inclusive

To ensure the best opportunities for young and old alike, Volt calls for:

• Master Plan Education 2035 – educational planning from daycare to “studying in old age”.
• Recruitment of educational specialists to ensure available daycare places.
• “Owl- and lark-classes” for a more flexible start to school and greater learning success.
• A municipal skilled labor strategy to enhance the status of skilled trades and vocational training.
• Münster’s universities as a driver of innovation for a strong science location and a European education campus that connects across borders.

PARTICIPATION – Even for those who are often overlooked

To protect marginalized groups, Volt calls for:

• ombudsman offices with support staff, for example when dealing with authorities.
• a municipal advisory commission and a municipal right of residence program – as in Cologne.
• more language courses for everyone – regardless of residence status.
• an integration initiative: strengthening older migrants and self-organisations.
• greater support for immigrant children attending daycare and school.
• more prevention programmes for addiction, sexual violence and mental health.

CULTURE and SPORT – Space for art, space for people

To make cultural offerings more inclusive and accessible, Volt calls for:

• a barrier-free, intercultural “House of Cultures” as a meeting place and space.
• a “pay what you want” model – everyone pays as much as they want in museums.
• fitness trails and public fitness facilities: For more opportunities in urban areas.
• more support and recognition for volunteer work as the foundation of society.

MOBILITY – Ensuring Münster does not miss the boat

To enable safe, barrier-free, and fast transportation within the city, Volt calls for:

• safe footpaths with more crosswalks, benches, greenery and a clear separation between pedestrian, bicycle and car traffic.
• car-free sidewalks, thanks to modern mobility stations, combined park-and-ride tickets, and underground neighborhood garages with electric charging stations, car-sharing and bicycle stations.
• “green waves” for bicycle paths.
• a continuous network of bicycle lanes free of car traffic.
• a bus system with additional, barrier-free hubs (Neutor, Antoniuskirche and Hbf) with short intervals. In the short term, metrobus lines are needed. In the long term, a light rail system must be introduced – as in Freiburg or Karlsruhe.
• the 15-minute city: All important facilities – housing, shopping, education, health, and recreation – should be within walking distance and reachable within 15 minutes – as in Oxford.

CLIMATE NEUTRALITY – For the future of our children

To ensure that Münster contributes to climate neutrality, Volt calls for:

• consistent municipal heating planning that converts neighborhoods to climate-friendly heat sources such as geothermal energy, district heating and heat pumps.
• a comprehensive solar power initiative on the roofs of public buildings, commercial properties and residential buildings.
• targeted energy-efficient renovation of municipal buildings – with a focus on passive house standards.
• additional wind power areas – even beyond the 2% target.

To ensure that Münster preserves our quality of life, Volt calls for:

• sponge city measures such as rainwater gardens, sinks, and planted wetlands – as exemplified by Copenhagen and the Ruhr region.
• the consistent greening of roofs and facades for cooling, insulation and promoting biodiversity.
• the preservation of fresh air corridors that channel cool air into the city center.
• public drinking water fountains for health protection – following the example of Cádiz.

CIRCULAR ECONOMY – Conserving resources, securing the future

In order to strengthen socially just and ecologically sustainable urban development, Volt calls for:

• the city to provide space free of charge for swap meets in order to reduce textile waste and raise awareness of sustainable consumption.
• a packaging tax on single-use packaging in the catering industry to promote sustainable reusable options – as in Tübingen.
• edible food to be collected, processed where possible and distributed e.g. to schools or food banks – as in Marseille.
• sustainable municipal procurement. Durability, reparability, low pollutant content and recyclability are prioritized – as in the Rhineland Regional Council.

AGRICULTURE – Fair for Münster’s farms, healthy for everyone

To strengthen agriculture, Volt calls for:

• new municipal regulations and contracts to be valid for at least five years in order to give farmers planning security.
• lease agreements to be linked to criteria such as soil protection, humus formation, and biodiversity in the future – as in Freiburg and Hanover.
• an app that connects farmers, bulk buyers and consumers, thereby contributing to reliable sales and creating planning security – as in the Fichtelgebirge.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION – Getting involved is encouraged

To strengthen citizen participation, Volt calls for:

• a competition in which citizens can submit proposals for unsealing. The best projects will be implemented.
• the expansion of digital participation opportunities and citizens‘ initiatives.
• the right to submit motions and vote for the youth council and senior citizens‘ representation and the establishment of a women’s council with the same rights.
• more budget and more visibility for district representatives.
• the expansion of real-world laboratories for networking urban society, business and science (Open Innovation City) – as with the Innovation GYM and OIC Campus in Bielefeld.