World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain unveils preliminary programme

After a successful activation phase in the Frankfurt RheinMain region and a large number of submitted projects during last year’s Open Call, World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 presented its preliminary programme for the first time at Ambiente Fair at Messe Frankfurt last week. The programme includes a wide range of participatory projects, renowned cooperations with cultural institutions, universities, industry and business representatives, as well as regional and international event highlights in 2025 and 2026. Frankfurt RheinMain is showcasing its immense potential to position itself as an innovative, creative and forward-thinking region.

Following the theme Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life, seven programme tracks of WDC 2026 will make tangible throughout the region, how design can strengthen democracy and positively change our lives in the long term – far beyond aesthetics:

• Save Democratic Spaces – Möglichkeitsräume schützen und schaffen
  strengthens public, protected spaces, such as GündiWest, home to formerly homeless people or Kulturcampus Frankfurt on the former University grounds in Frankfurt Bockenheim.
• Better Together – In guter Gesellschaft brings people together in various contexts, whether at Kiosk of Solidarity X Drogensozialarbeit FFM (AT) or the Kelkheim city festival Kelkheim kann’s – Straße der Vielfalt.
• With All Senses – Mit allen Sinnen traces democracy sensorially in dance in urban space with BEAT BY BITS (BBB) or in cooperation with Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt with the anniversary exhibition A Step Ahead.
• Moving Forward – Von Vergangenem zu Visionärem takes a significant step towards digital participation in libraries in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis with the project Bibliotheken digifit.
• Design in Schools – Design macht Schule! Frankfurt RheinMain lehrt Gestaltung teaches design and encourages young people to understand their environment as formable, changeable living spaces. One example is the Domäne S project in vacant retail spaces in Frankfurt’s tube station Hauptwache. A cooperation with Stiftung Deutsches Design Museum and Stiftung Polytechnische Gesellschaft aims to integrate design competence directly into curricula.
• Design Meets Society – Der Designdiskurs um den erweiterten Designbegriff illustrates how design drives change, for example in typeface through the Typography for Democracy series.
• Cooperations with Universities – Programme mit der kreativen Hochschullandschaft der Region establishes a forward-thinking network for the science of tomorrow.

In addition, unique event highlights such as the Month of Design, the World Design Experience, the World Design Street Festivals and the World Design Policy Conference will transform Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 into a vibrant, inspiring stage for design. Leading up to the event, WDC 2026 will be active regionally and internationally at leading design festivals, exhibitions and conferences in 2025. Central contact points will be provided through the FestivalHub at Museum Angewandte Kunst and regional WDC Embassies. The programme will be continuously developed over the coming weeks and months.

• “2026 will be an exciting year. I am really looking forward to it. The Frankfurt Rhine-Main region will be a metropolis of design, World Design Capital 2026. I am very much looking forward to all the many large and small projects in the districts and in the region on the topic of democracy building. Because that is the core of WDC: using the means of design and culture to strengthen our precious democracy, which is currently more fragile than ever. With WDC 2026, Frankfurt has the unique opportunity to position itself with all its potential – as a creative, economic, but also social and sustainable city, also internationally. Now the planning is becoming concrete. The next step has been taken to get the entire region excited about the major WDC 2026 project”, says City Councillor and Head of Department for Culture and Science Dr. Ina Hartwig.
• “The project has a clear objective: to connect the entire Frankfurt RheinMain region, with its many urban centres and equally vibrant rural areas, and bring it into the global spotlight. WDC 2026 is an investment in the region’s long-term viability. Companies from the region are invited to seize this opportunity to present themselves to an international audience and actively contribute to the process, whether through partnerships, projects or their own initiatives”, emphasises District Administrator of Hochtaunuskreis Ulrich Krebs.
• “We have now curated a strong programme from the Open Call submissions, with projects that contribute to our vision for WDC 2026. We are looking forward to the upcoming months, in which we will continue developing the programme – drawing from many exciting submissions, cooperations and contributions from various businesses. We will continue open conversations and add highlights to make WDC 2026 an experience for everyone”, say CEO Carolina Romahn and Chief Programme Officer Barbara Lersch.

Funding, Carriers, Structure and Background

This project is funded as part of the Innovation Promotion Hessen under the initiative Promotion of Cultural and Creative Economy Institutions by the Hessian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas.

The carriers of the World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 are the City of Frankfurt, led by the Department for Culture and Science and Kulturfonds Frankfurt RheinMain.

The application for the title of World Design Capital^® is based on an initiative by the Werkbundakademie Darmstadt from 2014 to 2020. The Design FRM gGmbH, established to manage the application process, is now primarily responsible for the implementation of the project.

World Design Organization (WDO)^®
World Design Organization (WDO)^® is a globally recognised, non-governmental organisation with United Nations consultative status, dedicated to promoting and advancing industrial design as a catalyst for positive change. Since its founding in 1957, WDO services over 215 member organisations worldwide, reaching hundreds of thousands of designers through innovative programmes and initiatives that champion ‘design for a better world’.

World Design Capital^® (WDC) 

World Design Capital^® (WDC) is initiative of WDO in recognition of cities that use design to drive economic, social, cultural, and environmental progress. In addition to Frankfurt RheinMain (Germany) in 2026, WDO has recognised the following cities biennially: Torino (Italy); Seoul (South Korea); Helsinki (Finland); Cape Town (South Africa); Taipei (Taiwan, Chinese Taipei); Mexico City (Mexico); Lille Métropole (France); Valencia (Spain); and most recently San Diego (USA) and Tijuana (Mexico) as the first binational designation.

Further information, see wdo.org

Detailed Programme Overview 

Save Democratic Spaces – Möglichkeitsräume schützen und schaffen

Co-designing GündiWest / Open Call Project by: studio formagora

This participatory design project works with volunteers and residents of the GündiWest housing project to co-create community spaces. GündiWest, a home for formerly homeless people, will move to a new location in late 2025.

Booty Bounce / Open Call Project by: Sarah Ariebu & Team

Booty Bounce 2026 is a performance project over several months that puts queer BIPoC FLINTA* individuals in Frankfurt in the spotlight, while fostering their participation in the cultural scene.

Kulturcampus Frankfurt / Cooperation / Partner: Vision31

Vision 31 is developing a temporary use concept for the Kulturcampus Frankfurt in Bockenheim, which is set to be built on the former university grounds. Various cultural institutions, including the University of Music and Performing Arts (HfMDK), are planned to relocate there. Despite significant delays and ongoing discussions, several initiatives are already active at the Kulturcampus: They are testing meaningful usage opportunities, inviting citizens to participate in the design process and using the vacant spaces for social and ecological transformations. The project partners of Vision 31 are: Offenes Haus der Kulturen, Making Frankfurt, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and the Culture Department of the City of Frankfurt.

Better Together – In guter Gesellschaft

Kiosk of Solidarity X Drogensozialarbeit FFM / Open Call Project by: Moritz Ahlert, Felix Egle & Team of ConstructLab

The Kiosk of Solidarity X Drogensozialarbeit FFM is a project in Frankfurt that addresses drug use, homelessness and social exclusion. The kiosk brings together drug users, addiction services, and local communities in public areas to resolve conflicts, foster dialogue and bridge social and health gaps.

Kelkheim kann’s – Straße der Vielfalt / Open Call Project by: Stadt Kelkheim (Taunus)

Kelkheim kann’s – Straße der Vielfalt turns Frankfurter Straße into a meeting point for everyone. During the city festival in 2025 and 2026, local clubs and organisations will showcase what makes Kelkheim unique: its diversity and community spirit. There will be activities bringing together people from various cultures and art projects that stay in the city.

Exhibition: Yes, we care. Das Neue Frankfurt und die Frage nach dem Gemeinwohl / Cooperation / Partner: Museum Angewandte Kunst

Yes, we care. Das Neue Frankfurt und die Frage nach dem Gemeinwohl explores the importance of caring for the common good and public welfare, both historically and today. The exhibition features ideas, people and initiatives in education, domestic work, social welfare and health, while also addressing the current challenges of the care crisis.

With all Senses – Mit allen Sinnen

BEAT BY BITS – AN OPEN-AIR VERSION OF 16BIT / Open Call Project by: Paula Rosolen/Haptic Hide

BEAT BY BITS (BBB) is a dance performance in public spaces across Frankfurt. It tackles the social and political meanings of techno, using a dynamic blend of sound, colour and movement to make these meanings perceptible.

Singen als soziale Praxis / Open Call Project by: Anouk Schmelz & Clara Maldener

People gather in public spaces to sing together, creating a sense of community!

A Step Ahead – Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt / Cooperation

Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt is a unique architectural ensemble of early modernism and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021. Established as an artist colony in the early 20th century, it will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its groundbreaking 1901 exhibition with the exhibition A Step Ahead – Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt at 125 in 2026. The exhibition will highlight visionary design from Darmstadt‘s cultural creators, combining historical and forward-thinking approaches. In addition to innovative materials and adaptive technologies, the exhibition aims to inspire people to stay one step ahead of the current challenges in their lives and to envision a better, healthier and fairer future through an expanded understanding of design.

Moving Forward – Von Vergangenem zu Visionärem

The Street as a Runway / Open Call Project by: Lorenza Manfredi & Team

The Street as a Runway explores the use of public spaces. Streets weren’t always meant for cars. In workshops focused on kite-building and flying, people of all ages will come together in the streets.

Bibliotheken digifit / Open Call Project by: FD Kultur Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis

This project strengthens digital participation in the Rheingau-Taunus region. Bibliotheken digifit is a mobile, modular makerspace expanding the possibilities of 15 local libraries and enhancing digital expertise.

see-Conference / Cooperation / Partner: BILDER DER ZUKUNFT e. V.

The see-Conference is a platform for envisioning the future through sustainability, visual communication, and innovative design. Since 2006, it has brought together activists and experts from design, arts and science to present projects aimed at a livable future. The 17th edition, on 26 and 27 April 2025, will focus on Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life. The ideas and projects developed at the conference will continue to shape the programme of World Design Capital 2026.

Design in Schools – Design macht Schule! Frankfurt RheinMain lehrt Gestaltung

Domäne S / Open Call Project by: Domäne S – für Schülerinnen und Schüler e. V.

This project transforms unused display cases and empty shop windows on level B at tube station Hauptwache into creative platforms for students in Frankfurt, allowing them to showcase their ideas and experience democratic participation in public spaces.

TikTok-Formate – S-Bahn-Takes (WT) oder Blindcast (WT) / Open Call Projekt by: Bildungsstätte Anne Frank e. V.

S-Bahn-Takes (WT) and Blindcast (WT) bring two people together on TikTok to debate controversial topics.

Stiftung Deutsches Design Museum + Stiftung Polytechnische Gesellschaft / Cooperation

Stiftung Deutsches Design Museum, Stiftung Polytechnische Gesellschaft and WDC 2026 are launching an exciting joint project. The goal is to pool resources, create synergies, and develop an initiative that integrates design expertise directly into curricula, inspiring young people to embrace design.

Design meets Society – Der Designdiskurs um den erweiterten Designbegriff

Re-Negotiating Space / Open Call Project by: Kultur einer
Digitalstadt e. V.

The Re-Negotiating Space event series asks: How can we fairly consider nature and humans in urban planning? In 3 to 5 events, new ideas and ways for collaborative planning will be developed.

Typography for Democracy / Open Call Project by: Jewish Community of Frankfurt K.d.ö.R. and Bureau Mitte, Frankfurt

Typography for Democracy features several events that explore the cultural significance of typography as a bridge between cultures.

Woche der Meinungsfreiheit / Cooperation / Partner: Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels

Woche der Meinungsfreiheit will involve diverse actors across Germany: bookstores, publishers, human rights and civil society organisations and cultural institutions, each contributing their own activities for their local communities. The programme includes a variety of events, from readings to performances, all aimed at encouraging dialogue, tolerance and freedom of expression. Across the country, various events will take place simultaneously during the week. An interactive website will simplify event organisation and make all contributions easily accessible. From 3 to 10 May 2025, the importance of free expression for an open and democratic society will be highlighted for the 5 time, this year following the motto: Argue? Definitely!

Cooperations with Universities – Programme mit der kreativen Hochschullandschaft der Region

Cooperation with local universities is a core part of the WDC 2026 programme, through formats such as Open Call submissions, a university roundtable and the Young Talent Design Campus organised by WDC 2026.

1. Open Call University Projects

Many universities have submitted projects to our Open Call in 2024, covering a wide range of topics in seminars and research projects: designing public spaces, political tools in design and the democratisation of digital content.

2. University Roundtable / Cooperations with Universities

The University Roundtable brings together actors from various universities, colleges and academic disciplines. Together, they will discuss and initiate potential cooperations and projects. We support the initiatives of partnering universities, from seminars and projects to theses, real labs, conferences, exhibitions, tours, summer schools, residencies and research initiatives with material budgets.

3. Young Talent Design Campus (YTDC) – International Summer School 2026

The Young Talent Design Campus provides a platform for the next generation of designers, offering international visibility. As an interdisciplinary format, the campus expands the concept of design and invites universities, students and educators from all disciplines – regionally, nationally, and internationally. This includes design, art and architecture schools as well as those from the social, humanities, natural sciences and engineering fields. The YTDC showcases the potential of future concepts emerging from universities, contributing to the theme Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life, facilitating exchange and interdisciplinary synergies and curating the best ideas and projects at the central FestivalHub of WDC 2026 on the grounds of the Museum Angewandte Kunst. Visitors can engage through exhibitions, keynotes and workshops, gaining insights and actively participating.

Cooperations and Additional Support

In addition to the projects already outlined in the programme tracks, cooperations with many other individuals, groups and institutions are already established. Some projects will take place once, while other cooperations are planned for the duration of the WDC 2026 programme.

Among our earliest partners are Messe Frankfurt and Frankfurter Buchmesse as well as the Frankfurt Next Generation project of Polytechnische Gesellschaft and Stiftung Polytechnische Gesellschaft.

Formats such as the Luminale and institutions like Tourismus and Congress GmbH Frankfurt and municipal marketing agencies across the region are also valuable supporters of WDC 2026. All of them will gradually complement the programme.

Programme Contributions from Business Representatives

Various working groups of the Chambers of Industry and Commerce across the entire region are already planning formats for business participation, thereby supporting WDC 2026. Frankfurt Economic Development is on board, as is the economic development agency in Offenbach. Valuable programme contributions and events are expected soon. Additionally, the Chamber of Crafts FRM is developing its own formats and matchmaking opportunities between crafts and design experts. Further contributions are highly welcome.

Programme Partnerships

Associated programme contributions from various organisers in the region and beyond will be finalised in the coming months, including with the Kulturregion FRM.

Explore WDC 2026  – Event highlights

World Design Spotlight – Each week highlights a different WDC 2026 theme across media platforms

This format combines established media and various channels to feature exciting contributions revolving around Design for Democracy. Atmospheres for a better life. The World Design Spotlight can focus on projects, people, or companies and is designed to engage both a broad audience and design enthusiasts alike.

WDC Pavilion – The Mobile Heart of Frankfurt RheinMain

Sustainably built, modular and mobile: The WDC Pavilion will travel through the region from April to October 2026, stopping at 5 to 7 key locations – from vibrant city squares to cultural landmarks. As a roaming event centre, people easily connect with WDC 2026, offering a tailored programme at each stop that reflects the region’s diversity and engages the local community.

World Design Experience

In early summer 2026, Frankfurt RheinMain will become an international stage for designing tomorrow. For 9 days, visionary design from the region will meet impulses from around the world. Exhibitions, open studios, interactive experiences, and inspiring encounters! The events will take place at converted industrial sites, innovative venues and iconic spaces, linking the past and the future of the region.

Month of Design

August 2026 will be the Month of Design – a full month of creative happenings showcasing the diverse facets of design, making WDC 2026’s year-long activities tangible. From installations and discovery tours to exhibitions, everyone in the region is invited to participate and explore the world of design.

World Design Street Festivals

The highlight of this month are the World Design Street Festivals, which will transform various urban neighborhoods into vibrant creative spaces over 3 consecutive weekends. Here, street art meets music, performance blends with community spirit. Through interventions in public spaces, artistic expressions, and participatory projects, we celebrate the cultural diversity and creative energy of the region. Whether it’s interactive formats or subcultural impulses – this festival invites everyone to actively shape both the city and design.

Future needs Design – 3 Conferences, 3 Cities: World Design Policy Conference / World Design Network of Cities Meeting / WDC Convocation Ceremony

The World Design Policy Conference 2026 will be the global gathering for design, politics and science, aiming to establish design as a strong driver for addressing societal and political challenges. The conference is divided into 3 themes – Politics, Administration and Attitude – and will take place in Wiesbaden, Frankfurt and Offenbach. The highlight: the Design Assembly in Frankfurt Paulskirche, bringing together all perspectives and fostering dialogue with regional politics. For this special occasion, we’re bringing together the international network of World Design Capitals and the key players in the region. During the festive Convocation Ceremony, we will proudly pass the WDC title to the next World Design Capital.

In the Global and Regional Spotlight

Frankfurt RheinMain goes global

In 2025, Frankfurt RheinMain will showcase itself worldwide as a hub of creativity. Leading up to 2026, we’re actively engaging in leading international design festivals, exhibitions and conferences – from London to Vienna to Eindhoven. By sharing our regional ideas globally, strengthening international networks, and highlighting our region’s innovative spirit, we’re building powerful momentum for the future of WDC 2026.

FestivalHub & WDC Embassies – Spaces to discover, exchange and participate

The FestivalHub at Museum Angewandte Kunst is WDC 2026’s central home – a vibrant meeting point where the year’s themes come together. Here, international impulses and regional perspectives converge, sparking exchange, dialogue and creative experience.

WDC Embassies are scattered across the region, connecting directly with the people.

These embassies are located at central places of everyday life – in shopping streets, cultural venues, or tourism centres. They provide information about the programme, showcase selected projects, and serve as venues for local events, fostering exchange, information and connection.

WDC Workshop Truck on the road

The red WDC Workshop Truck hit the road in 2024, bringing conversations, impulses and ideas to towns like Darmstadt, Kelkheim, Hanau, Eltville and the fair Frankfurter Buchmesse. This journey continues over the next two years!

WDC regulars’ table

At the WDC regulars’ table, we offer a space for relaxed exchange and networking every third Wednesday of the month. It will take place at different locations across Frankfurt RheinMain, bringing together new perspectives and ideas.

For a continuously updated programme overview and further information, see: wdc2026.org