Since 2017, the city councils of Augsburg, Berlin, Biedenkopf, Büdingen, Freiburg im Breisgau, Hamburg, Kempten (Allgäu), Marburg, Munich, Neustrelitz, Landsberg am Lech and Schotten have decided to commit to the principles of Blue Communities. In 2021, the first university in Germany – Philipps University Marburg – will be certified as a Blue Community, in 2022 the Wolfgang-Ernst-Gymnasium Büdingen became the first school worldwide and in 2023 the Landkreis of Landsberg am Lech joined as the first district in Germany to be certified.
The resolutions on the voluntary commitment to implement the Blue Community principles were initiated by citizens’ initiatives such as the Berliner Wasserrat in Berlin, a water alliance in Munich and Augsburg, and active citizens, pupils and students in Büdingen and Marburg. The political groups in the city parliaments have taken up these ideas and involved the municipal companies in the decision-making process. In Hamburg, Kempten and Biedenkopf, the Blue Community was initiated by city councillors. All resolutions in favour of Blue Community were passed by a large majority, sometimes even unanimously, as in Augsburg.
The certificates confirming this voluntary commitment were presented in 2018 and 2022 by Maude Barlow, Honorary Chair of the Council of Canadians, or by the coordinator for Germany on her behalf.
All Blue Communities are doing an excellent job of complying with the principles, but they are aware that in many areas they need to rethink and take new action. This requires cooperation between the respective administrations, water and wastewater utilities, with a wide range of institutions and initiatives.
It is also very important that all those involved in Blue Communities make sure that the Blue Community certificate is not just a new figurehead, but that it brings about real positive changes.