The Steering Committee for the Social City Initiative in Schwerin Neu Zippendorf / Mueßer Holz is the central body responsible for the strategic oversight and further development of neighborhood-based work. It brings together various stakeholders from civil society, government, and local institutions, and promotes dialogue, networking, and knowledge sharing. A key tool of the steering committee is the discretionary fund, which provides low-threshold support for projects, initiatives, and events aimed at strengthening participation, engagement, and cohesion in the neighborhood. The steering committee advises on the allocation of funds, identifies needs, pools resources, and acts as a multiplier to promote participation and co-creation in the neighborhood.

Since 2023, UVM has been supporting the steering committee by designing and facilitating its annual retreats, during which participants address the committee’s objectives, the neighborhood’s current needs, and the further development of the steering committee’s work – including public relations, breaking down barriers, and engaging additional stakeholders.