Berlin-Köpenick, December 23, 2025 – In a significant move towards community-driven urban development, the district of Köpenick is calling upon its residents, local initiatives, and various stakeholders to actively contribute their ideas for the new urban quarter emerging at the former freight station. This ambitious project, set to transform the area both above and below the railway tracks, aims to create a vibrant, mixed-use district featuring approximately 1,800 new apartments, social facilities, green spaces, and commercial establishments.
€20,000 Fund for Community Projects in 2026
To foster a strong sense of community and integrate social and cultural aspects into the new quarter, a dedicated district fund has been established. For the year 2026, this fund will allocate a total of €20,000 to support community-oriented and neighborhood-strengthening projects. The initiative seeks to ensure that the development is not merely structural but also deeply rooted in the needs and aspirations of its future inhabitants.
What is the District Fund at Köpenick Freight Station?
The district fund is an integral part of the urban development measure at the former freight station site in Berlin-Köpenick. As the area evolves into a new, mixed-use urban quarter, the fund will provide crucial support for projects that enhance neighborly coexistence, promote local networks, and generate sustainable impulses for the district. Projects eligible for funding must be implemented within the development area itself or its immediate vicinity, as specified by the Senate Department for Urban Development, Building and Housing. The maximum funding amount per project is €5,000. Eligible applicants include citizens, businesses, property owners, associations, and other local actors.
Submission Deadline: February 28, 2026
Those interested in submitting project ideas for funding in 2026 must do so by February 28, 2026. Initially, a brief sketch of the idea is sufficient. Following this, selected proposals will undergo a detailed refinement process in coordination with the Senate Department, which acts as the funding body. A key stage in the selection process involves presenting the projects to the District Advisory Board, with presentations scheduled for April 15, 2026. The board will evaluate submissions based on predefined funding objectives and recommend projects for approval. Only after this recommendation will the full application form be submitted and reviewed.
Clear Funding Objectives for Community-Oriented Initiatives
Strategic objectives have been established to guide the selection of projects. These include, but are not limited to, the activation and participation of citizens, the strengthening of identification and networking within the quarter, and the promotion of sustainable and long-term effective initiatives. The allocation of funds will adhere to Berlin’s grant law, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the State Budget Ordinance. Project managers emphasize that interested project leaders will receive comprehensive advice and support throughout the entire application process.
Senate Department Offers Assistance for Project Development
The Senate Department is committed to assisting applicants with both the substantive development of their ideas and the formal application process. This support aims to ensure that even smaller initiatives or first-time applicants have a realistic chance of securing funding. This call for ideas offers the community a unique opportunity to actively shape the development of the new urban quarter at Köpenick Freight Station. Beyond structural transformation, the initiative seeks to prioritize social, cultural, and ecological aspects from the outset. The district fund serves as a vital instrument to highlight local ideas and collaboratively foster the identity of the emerging quarter.
Those wishing to participate actively in the design process can find more information on the official channels.
Source: Bezirksamt Treptow-Köpenick, Senatskanzlei, Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung, Bauen und Wohnen, mein Berlin, Gebietsfonds der städtebaulichen Entwicklungsmaßnahme
