Generationennetz Gelsenkirchen e.V.

What Generationennetz Gelsenkirchen e.V. does

Generationennetz Gelsenkirchen e.V. is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein, Amtsgericht Gelsenkirchen VR 1955) founded in 2009 by the City of Gelsenkirchen originally as 'Seniorennetz' and renamed to its current name in 2014 to reflect an expanded intergenerational focus. The organization functions as a coordinating backbone for elderly care and community engagement across the city of Gelsenkirchen in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, where approximately 25% of residents are aged 60 or older. It operates a decentralized service network comprising 5 main Infocenters, more than 30 satellite locations (Außenstellen), a federally funded Mehrgenerationenhaus at Bochumer Str. 117, and mobile offerings including bicycle rickshaw services, walking groups, and digital scavenger hunts delivered via the third-party Actionbound app. Approximately 160 trained Nachbarschaftsstifter:innen (neighborhood facilitators, ~70 active) and 15 self-organized ZWAR groups (Zwischen Arbeit und Ruhestand) form the volunteer backbone, supported by additional volunteer pools of Technikbotschafter:innen, Spaziergangspat:innen, and Rikschafahrer:innen.

Name

Generationennetz Gelsenkirchen e.V.

Legal name

Generationennetz Gelsenkirchen e.V.

Website

https://generationennetz-ge.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Generationennetz Gelsenkirchen e.V. is a non-profit association coordinating elderly support and community engagement across Gelsenkirchen, Germany, through 5 Infocenters, 30+ satellite sites, and ~70 active volunteer neighborhood facilitators serving the city's 60+ population.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services for the Elderly

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Recreational Outings, Community Participation & Mobility Support (Non-Clinical) (HSABAAAI), Intergenerational Day Programs (Seniors + Childcare) (HSABANAJ), Technology Assistance & Digital Support for Seniors (HSABAAAH), Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination (HLADALAK), Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

Keywords

• Elderly community services
• Senior support network
• Neighborhood volunteer programs
• Digital literacy for seniors
• Age-friendly city programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Gelsenkirchen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Municipal Funding: Core funding from the City of Gelsenkirchen (Stadt Gelsenkirchen), which initiated the organization in 2009. The Mehrgenerationenhaus receives Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) funding.
2. Project Grants: Time-limited project funding from various sources including: VINCI-Stiftung (Solidarische Stadt program), AOK health insurance providers, and government programs. BEWEGTplus project (2021-2024) was funded by multiple health insurers.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted from the public to support specific program areas including Nachbarschaftsstifter:innen, Technikbotschafter:innen, Spaziergangsgruppen, Rikschafahrten, and Quartiersarbeit. Bank details provided for direct transfers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Generationennetz Gelsenkirchen e.V. is a community network association that coordinates free advice, activities, and social support for elderly residents of Gelsenkirchen across multiple decentralized Infocenter locations. It operates volunteer-led programs including ZWAR groups for people 55+, Technikbotschafter:innen digital literacy support, Nachbarschaftsstifter:innen neighborhood facilitators, walking groups, rickshaw mobility rides, and a Mehrgenerationenhaus multi-generational community space, plus time-bound health and neighborhood development projects.

Product overview

Generationennetz Gelsenkirchen e.V. is a community network organization (not a technology product company) providing advice, support, and social services for elderly people in Gelsenkirchen. The core offering consists of five main Infocenters plus over 30 external locations, staffed by professional coordinators and approximately 70 volunteer Nachbarschaftsstifter:innen (neighborhood facilitators). Key services include ZWAR-Gruppen (15 self-organized groups for people 55+), Technikbotschafter:innen (technology support volunteers), Spaziergangsgruppen (walking groups), Rikschafahrten (rickshaw rides), and the Mehrgenerationenhaus (multi-generational house). Additional programs include Digitale Schnitzeljagd (digital scavenger hunts using Actionbound app), Tablet-Kurse (tablet training), BEWEGTplus (health promotion project), and neighborhood development initiatives. The organization operates under the motto 'Gut älter werden in Gelsenkirchen' (aging well in Gelsenkirchen) and coordinates a network of welfare organizations, care companies, hospitals, churches, and housing associations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZWAR-Gruppen: Self-organized groups for people 'between work and retirement' (ZWischen Arbeit und Ruhestand), offering leisure activities and community for people approximately 50 years and older.
• Mehrgenerationenhaus
• Technikbotschafter:innen
• Nachbarschaftsstifter:innen
• Spaziergangsgruppen
• Rikschafahrten

Products and services

• Infocenter Network (Hauptstandorte)
• Infocenter Aussenstellen (Satellite Locations)
• ZWAR-Gruppen
• Nachbarschaftsstifter:innen
• Technikbotschafter:innen
• Spaziergangsgruppen
• Rikschafahrten
• Mehrgenerationenhaus
• Quartiersentwicklung (Neighborhood Development)
• BEWEGTplus Health Project

Quantifiable outcome

• 160 Nachbarschaftsstifter:innen trained and active
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stadt Gelsenkirchen (City of Gelsenkirchen)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009The city government that initiated the Generationennetz in 2009 under the name Seniorennetz. Provides ongoing funding, office space, and institutional support. The Senioren- und Behindertenbeauftragter (Senior and Disabled Citizens' Representative) Julius Leberl serves on the board.
• KDA (Kuratorium Deutsche Altershilfe)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner on organization website. National organization focused on aging-related policy and practice.
• DZA (Deutsches Zentrum für Altersfragen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner on organization website. National research institute on aging issues.
• BAGSO (Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Senioren-Organisationen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner on organization website. National umbrella organization of senior citizen organizations.
• Forum SeniorenarbeitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as partner on organization website. Professional forum for senior work.
• Stiftung Digitale Chancen (Digital Chances Foundation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on 'Digital mobil im Alter' project creating digital scavenger hunts using Actionbound app to teach digital skills through gamified city exploration.
• O2 TelefónicacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developed digital literacy initiatives including digital scavenger walks in cooperation with Stiftung Digitale Chancen.
• Caritasverband für die Stadt Gelsenkirchen e. V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member organization providing social services, operating Infocenters, and supporting Nachbarschaftsstifter:innen program. Schatzmeister Michael Hegemann represents Caritas on the board.
• AWO Unterbezirk Gelsenkirchen/BottropcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member organization and former long-term leadership. Former chair Gudrun Wischnewski served 23 years as chair before retirement. Hosts Infocenter facilities.
• DRK Gelsenkirchen Service gGmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member organization. Current 1st Vorsitzender Johannes Heinrich represents DRK on the board.
• APD GruppecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member organization and current 2nd Vorsitzender Björn Schulte represents APD on the board. Hosts multiple Infocenter locations including Altstadt.
• Diakoniewerk Gelsenkirchen und Wattenscheid e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore member organization providing social-diakonal services and hosting Infocenter locations.
• Gelsensport e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal sports association partner for BEWEGTplus movement programs and tablet course cooperation.
• AOK NordWestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Turkish-language dementia training program alongside Caritas Fachstelle Demenz, Regionalbüros Alter, Pflege & Demenz, and Generationennetz.
• Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe Regionalverbund Ruhr-Lippe e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as member organization of the Generationennetz network.
• Gelsenkirchener Gemeinnützige Wohnungsbaugesellschaft mbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as member organization. Housing company contributing to housing aspects of aging in place.
• 7 Werke – Sozial Caritatives ZentrumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for cooking courses, movement classes, and other activities in Hassel neighborhood in cooperation with Generationennetz.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. Germany's second-largest welfare organization providing senior care, mobile services, and community engagement. Johanniter's Regionalverbund Ruhr-Lippe is a member organization of Generationennetz, making Johanniter a strategic partner and comparable at the regional level for senior community programming.
• AWO Bundesverband e.V. Germany's largest welfare association, providing a full continuum of senior services including in-home care, day programs, and neighborhood work. As a core member organization of Generationennetz (hosting Infocenter Ost and providing former long-term leadership), AWO is both parent ecosystem and direct comparator for the Generationennetz service offering.
• Caritasverband für die Stadt Gelsenkirchen e.V. Local Catholic welfare organization providing senior services, dementia support, and consultation. Caritas is a core member and the Schatzmeister of Generationennetz, representing both an integral partner and a broader-established comparable in the local elder-care ecosystem.
• Diakonie Deutschland: National Protestant welfare association providing a full suite of senior and social services. Diakoniewerk Gelsenkirchen und Wattenscheid is a Generationennetz member organization, making Diakonie both a strategic partner and a comparable comprehensive welfare provider.
• DRK Kreisverband Gelsenkirchen e.V. Local German Red Cross chapter providing senior services, mobile care, and social support. DRK is the affiliation of Generationennetz's current 1st Vorsitzender, positioning it as both partner and competitor in delivering senior community services within Gelsenkirchen.

Others

• Kuratorium Deutsche Altershilfe (KDA): National expert organization developing practical models and policy for elder care and age-friendly communities. Listed as a partner of Generationennetz, KDA provides adjacent thought-leadership and consulting services in the same domain of community-based elder support.
• BAGSO - Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Senioren-Organisationen: National umbrella organization of German senior-citizen associations. Listed as a partner of Generationennetz, BAGSO serves as a policy advocate and knowledge broker for the broader senior services ecosystem of which Generationennetz is a local node.

Regional players

• Forum Seniorenarbeit NRW: North Rhine-Westphalia professional forum for senior work and elder engagement. Listed as a partner of Generationennetz, it operates as a regional peer network connecting senior-services practitioners across the same state (NRW) where Generationennetz has won its Leuchtturm recognition.

Direct peers

• Mehrgenerationenhaus Network (BMFSFJ Program): Federal program of approximately 540 multi-generational houses across Germany, including the Generationennetz-operated Mehrgenerationenhaus in Gelsenkirchen. The network offers the closest direct comparison as it operates the same 'community meeting place for all generations' model with BMFSFJ funding.
• Radeln ohne Alter e.V. German non-profit operating rickshaw rides for elderly residents. Generationennetz explicitly names Radeln ohne Alter as the inspiration for its own Rikschafahrten program, making it a directly comparable operational model in the niche of mobility-enabled community engagement for seniors.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/generationennetz-gelsenkirchen-e-v

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Generationennetz Gelsenkirchen e.V.