A joint initiative by companies and institutions based in and around Frankfurt’s Bahnhofsviertel – the district surrounding its central railway station – intends to help improve the difficult situation in the area. Known as the BHV corporate initiative (BHV being an acronym for Bahnhofsviertel), it aims to make a positive contribution to the district and support selected social projects through constructive dialogue with the city. Representatives of the participating companies presented the initiative at a joint event today with Frankfurt’s mayor Mike Josef. Speaking at the K9 advice centre, one of the welfare facilities to receive financial support from the BHV corporate initiative, they reaffirmed their commitment to the district and called for further intensive efforts to find solutions to the area’s problems.

Mayor Josef highlighted the following: When I took office one and a half years ago, a particularly important topic was the situation in the station district. And it remains so to this day. The many meetings I have had over the past few months have included conversations with companies, their representatives and employees based in or near the station district. It has become clear that the situation in the district needs to change. He went on to say: I am pleased that many conversations have been very constructive. With the BHV corporate initiative, several companies and institutions have decided to provide financial support to social facilities in the station district. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks for this.

We have joined forces in a cross-sectoral initiative to improve the situation in the station district for people who spend time here for a multitude of different reasons. We want to achieve this by supporting tangible projects, said Stephan Bredt, chief operating officer at the Bundesbank, one of the institutions bringing ideas to the joint initiative. The Bundesbank, which has offices in and around the station district, is happy to contribute to its success by getting involved and providing good ideas. We see ourselves at the beginning of a long-term undertaking and invite other interested parties to join in.

The BHV corporate initiative, which currently comprises eleven companies and institutions with around 26,000 employees in and around the station district, is supporting various aid projects for people in need. Indirectly, these may also help to improve the district’s appearance. In a first step, the initiative will support four facilities in the district with funding of €100,000 each:

• The K9 advice centre for projects that help people with drug addiction regain a foothold in labour market;
• La Strada drug help centre to extend and renovate its community café and drug consumption rooms and expand its provision of medical care;
• The night café on Moselstrasse to provide warm meals for people battling addiction;
• Malteser Werke to expand their emergency medical service in the district as part of their proactive social work.

As a gateway to the city, the station district has great economic, cultural and social potential. In order to harness this, the current problems need to be tackled on a lasting basis, said Christian Sewing, CEO of Deutsche Bank, speaking on behalf of the companies involved. We welcome the initiative of the mayor and the municipal administration of Frankfurt to develop and implement forward-looking solutions for the station district. It is important that initial improvements are now quickly followed by further tangible steps. As corporate citizens, we want to exercise our social responsibility and make an active contribution to improving the situation and unlocking the district’s full potential.

The participants of the BHV initiative are making a long-term commitment. In addition to the specific financial support to social facilities provided by the companies involved, the initiative aims to liaise closely with the city on the progress made in the district. Moreover, participants are harnessing the initiative to improve the exchange of information with regard to the challenges and opportunities in the district. Other companies and institutions that would like to get involved are welcome to join at any time.

Current participants

• Bank of America
• Deutsche Bundesbank
• Deutsche Bank
• Deutsche Vermögensberatung
• DWS
• DZ Bank
• Frankfurter Volksbank Rhein-Main
• Helaba
• Merz Pharma
• Momeni Group
• Nestlé Deutschland