Who is interested in a good life for the elderly in rural areas?

The Challenge

Denk-mal-Kultur e.V. primarily focuses on the Heinersdorf manor house. Together with partners, Denk-mal-Kultur e.V. aims to establish an academy for self-determined aging in rural areas within the manor. In this context, a practical research unit is also to be founded, addressing the question: “How can aging in rural areas be best managed?” When they contacted CorrelAid, the organizers were at the very beginning of the project and needed support to determine whether the local population and other relevant stakeholders (politics, administration, care staff, and medical personnel) were interested in the practical research unit. The volunteers of Denk-Mal-Kultur had prepared a rough draft of a survey but sought help to refine it, conduct an online survey, and analyze the results. They hoped the findings would provide actionable insights for the initiative, assisting with further activities such as reaching out to potential project partners or exploring fundraising opportunities.

The Data Basis

The data was collected through a survey conducted as part of the project (see below for further details). In addition to the survey data, the CorrelAid team used openly available regional data from the Statistical Information System Berlin-Brandenburg (StatIS-BBB).

The Approach

The CorrelAid team supported the improvement of the survey design by developing not only the key thematic questions but also demographic questions, such as those regarding gender and educational background. After successfully finalizing the questionnaire in consultation with Denk-Mal-Kultur, the CorrelAid team conducted the online survey using SoGo. Approximately 140 citizens and relevant stakeholders responded to the survey.

Using the demographic data, the team checked for differences between various potential users and interest groups. Additionally, the representativeness of the survey was evaluated by comparing some characteristics (e.g., gender and education) with the region’s official statistics.

The CorrelAid team created a PDF report with many useful graphics and their interpretations. The analysis identified relevant interest groups, topics, communication channels, and forms of interaction. Among other findings, it revealed that the practical research unit generated more interest among women than men.

The Impact

The project had two effects: First, the survey results indicated a general high level of interest among all respondents, both within the population and among relevant stakeholders. This outcome not only motivated all members of the Denk-Mal-Kultur team for the practical research unit but also facilitated outreach to ministries and other potential funders for fundraising activities.

Second, the survey results helped the Denk-Mal-Kultur team prioritize activities based on interest and potential support from local representatives. In short, they provided a solid, user-oriented foundation for future activities aimed at establishing the academy for self-determined aging and the practical research unit.