Recap of the Fifth Marketplace: Strong Economic Growth and Performance in the Rheinisch-Bergisch District

Recap of the Fifth Marketplace: Strong Economic Growth and Performance in the Rheinisch-Bergisch District

7. May 2026

@Marktplatz_RBK, Kreissparkasse Köln, Marketplace 2026, Recap, Rembold Foundation, RheinBergEngagiert

On May 7, 2026, approximately 50 people from the political, business, and community sectors in the Rheinisch Bergischer Kreis attended the fifth "Marktplatz Gute Geschäfte" event at the Kulturbahnhof in Overath.

At the “Marktplatz Gute Geschäfte” event held at the Overath Kulturbahnhof, clubs and businesses once again successfully connected with one another. For the fifth time, the event on Thursday evening, May 7, 2026, provided an ideal platform for club members and representatives of the local business community in the Rheinisch-Bergisch district. Interesting new partnership agreements with a total value of more than 23,600 euros and 125 volunteer hours were secured.

Eleven nonprofit organizations and six companies from Rhein-Berg got to know each other during a one-hour speed-dating session and agreed to collaborate. Participation in the Marketplace is lower this year than in previous years. “We received feedback from the organizations and companies that they would have liked to participate. However, due to the tense and uncertain economic situation, they are being cautious and are preoccupied with other issues,” explains Tanja Siebert, organizer of the “Marktplatz Gute Geschäfte.” Together with Christian Gollmer, district group director of the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband, the managing director of AMAIDI International in Overath once again organized the marketplace.

The goal of this annual event is to bring businesses and nonprofit organizations together and foster collaborations on an equal footing. The “Marktplatz Gute Geschäfte” is not about money. Partners support one another using four forms of exchange: expertise (pro bono), labor and time, networks and contacts, and labor and material resources.

Several new partnerships were formed at the event held at the Kulturbahnhof. “This is a very encouraging outcome. We would like to thank everyone who participated,” said Christian Gollmer. “We stand for strong networks and solidarity. That is also the core idea behind the ‘Gute Geschäfte’ Marketplace,” emphasized District Administrator Arne von Boetticher, who serves as the event’s patron.

The fifth marketplace was also supported by the Dr. Jürgen Rembold Foundation for the Promotion of Civic Engagement as the main sponsor, as well as by the Kreissparkasse Köln.

Awards for the Best Community Engagement Projects

Founder Jürgen Rembold praised the participants’ dedication and thanked them for their excellent ideas for new partnerships. Through his foundation, Rembold recognizes the three best partnerships from the previous year. These were established in 2025 at the “Marktplatz Gute Geschäfte” in Odenthal-Altenberg. Before the official opening, he honored the award winners and emphasized the initiative’s importance as a bridge between business and civil society. *** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***

The CVJM Bergisch Gladbach, the parents’ association of the Villa Löwenzahn daycare center in Rösrath, and the parents’ initiative for children with heart conditions in Cologne each received a grant of 200 euros. Members of the CVJM participated in a motivational workshop led by Frederike Hofmann, founder of the company “Tanzen mit Friede.” Katha Arndt, a coach and trainer, conducted a resilience training session for the entire team at the Villa Löwenzahn daycare center. Tailor Maria-Theresia Wolff, owner of phantasiali stoffe, sewed special wrap shirts for children who have to stay in the hospital together with members of the parents’ initiative for children with heart conditions.

After the gong sounded, nonprofit organizations and companies engaged in lively discussions, gathered exciting new ideas, and ultimately not only signed formal cooperation agreements but also networked with one another over a delicious buffet.

“The marketplace is a great way to connect with other organizations. It’s exciting to see what others have to offer,” says Dagmar Frebert, team leader of Café Grenzenlos at Inclusio in Bergisch Gladbach. The organization refers to this first agreement as the “centerpiece.”

More than 50 attendees, including Jörg Schiefer, Deputy Mayor of Overath, and Myriam Mutz, Regional Director of Kreissparkasse Köln, engaged in lively discussions throughout the evening and reached agreements. Nonprofit organizations from the district represented included Inclusio Rhein-Berg, the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, the Cologne Parents’ Initiative for Children with Heart Disease, CBF – Club for People with Disabilities and Their Friends, and Die Platte in Bergisch Gladbach. *** Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version) ***

The participating companies included Ringana, Schneiderei phantasiali stoffe, Tanzen mit Friede, Marlene Weiner – The Training Expert, and Rebecca Gollmer – Consulting for Nonprofits. The Kreissparkasse Köln also sponsored the event once again.

Scenes from the Marketplace in 2026

(Click the + icon on the photo to enlarge it)

The “Marktplatz Gute Geschäfte” event will take place for the first time on July 2 in Wiehl, in the Oberbergischer Kreis district. The event is also going international: a delegation from Uganda, including AMAIDI directors Mamerito Ssenfuma and Sula Kakande, attended the event in Overath. “AMAIDI plans to host a Marketplace in Uganda next year,” Tanja Siebert announced the new initiative.

All partnership agreements reached during the “Marketplace” event were documented in writing on the evening of the event. The organizing team will oversee their implementation. The best partnerships will be recognized at the next Marketplace, which is scheduled to take place in early summer 2027.