Hessian Association of Cities and Municipalities

The Hessischer Städte- und Gemeindebund e.V. (HSGB), known in English as the Hessian Association of Cities and Municipalities, is one of the three leading municipal umbrella organizations (kommunale Spitzenverbände) in the German state of Hesse. Founded in 1946, the same year the state of Hesse was re-established, the association represents the interests of the district-affiliated (kreisangehörige) cities and municipalities of Hesse. As of January 2023, its membership comprised 399 Hessian cities and municipalities as well as more than 120 corporations under public law, such as associations and other public bodies. The HSGB is headquartered in Mühlheim am Main. Its primary mission is to provide legal advice and legal representation to its members, and to advocate on their behalf in the state legislative process. Under § 147 of the Hessian Municipal Code (Hessische Gemeindeordnung, HGO), the municipal umbrella organizations must be consulted in the preparation of state legislation that affects the interests of municipalities and municipal associations. The association is organized through a members' assembly (Mitgliederversammlung), a presidium (Präsidium), and a main committee (Hauptausschuss). Geographically, it is divided into district assemblies (Kreisversammlungen) with their own district chairpersons, and thematically into specialist committees covering law, constitution and personnel; finance, economy and digital affairs; spatial planning, structural funding, construction and housing; social affairs, culture and sport; environment, agriculture and forestry; and tourism. Beyond its advocacy and legal work, the HSGB operates the Freiherr vom Stein-Institut, a municipal training institute founded in 1950. The institute organizes roughly twenty courses each spring and twenty each autumn, aimed at mayors, municipal elected officials, community boards, and magistrates, as well as seminars for department heads and administrative staff. It also conducts civic education work, teaching the fundamentals of democratic municipal constitutions and self-government. The association publishes the monthly Hessische Städte- und Gemeindezeitung (HSGZ). In recent years, the HSGB has focused heavily on the financial pressures facing its member municipalities. At its 2026 members' assembly, held on 17 September 2026 in Weilburg under the motto "Handlungsfähige Städte und Gemeinden, einfach.resilient.digital" (Capable Cities and Municipalities, simply.resilient.digital), President Markus Röder welcomed over 300 participants, including 233 representatives from member municipalities. The assembly's overriding theme was the ability of municipalities to act, which the association described as under severe pressure due to a precarious financial situation. The HSGB also announced that its office in Mühlheim am Main would temporarily relocate to Rodgau-Weiskirchen for approximately 18 months due to energy-efficient renovation and infrastructure adaptation of its headquarters building.

The Hessischer Städte- und Gemeindebund e.V. (HSGB) was founded in 1946, the same year the state of Hesse was re-established after World War II. It was created as the umbrella organization (Spitzenorganisation) for the district-affiliated (kreisangehörige) municipalities of Hesse, distinguishing it from the Hessischer Städtetag, which represents the larger independent cities, and the Hessischer Landkreistag, which represents the rural districts. Together, these three form the municipal umbrella organizations of Hesse. In 1950, the association founded the Freiherr vom Stein-Institut, named after the Prussian reformer Heinrich Friedrich Karl vom und zum Stein, to provide municipal training and civic education. The institute has since become a core part of the HSGB's service offering, organizing around forty courses per year for mayors, municipal officials, and administrative staff. Over the decades, the HSGB has grown to represent the vast majority of Hesse's district-affiliated municipalities. As of January 2023, it counted 399 Hessian cities and municipalities as members, along with more than 120 corporations under public law. Its headquarters is located in Mühlheim am Main. The association's legal role is anchored in § 147 of the Hessische Gemeindeordnung (HGO), which requires the state to consult the municipal umbrella organizations when preparing legislation that affects municipal interests. This gives the HSGB a formal voice in the state legislative process. In 2026, the HSGB marked 80 years since its founding, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the state of Hesse. The members' assembly that year, held on 17 September 2026 in Weilburg, focused on the theme of municipal capacity to act (Handlungsfähigkeit), with President Markus Röder emphasizing the severe financial pressures facing district-affiliated municipalities. The assembly adopted the motto "Handlungsfähige Städte und Gemeinden, einfach.resilient.digital". Also in 2026, the association announced that its office in Mühlheim am Main would temporarily relocate to Rodgau-Weiskirchen for approximately 18 months to allow for energy-efficient renovation and adaptation of the building infrastructure.

• 2026

  HSGB celebrates 80 years since founding; members' assembly held on 17 September 2026 in Weilburg.

• 2026

  Office in Mühlheim am Main temporarily relocates to Rodgau-Weiskirchen for approximately 18 months for renovation.

• 2023

  Membership stands at 399 Hessian cities and municipalities plus over 120 corporations under public law (as of January 2023).

• 1950

  Freiherr vom Stein-Institut founded to provide municipal training and civic education.

• 1946

  HSGB founded as the umbrella organization for district-affiliated municipalities in Hesse.

One of the three municipal umbrella organizations in Hesse, representing the interests of district-affiliated cities and municipalities.

• Legal advice and representation

  The association provides legal advice and legal representation to its member municipalities.

• Freiherr vom Stein-Institut

  Municipal training institute founded in 1950, organizing around twenty courses each spring and autumn for mayors, municipal elected officials, and administrative staff.

• Hessische Städte- und Gemeindezeitung (HSGZ)

  Monthly journal published by the association.

1. 1Start - Hessischer Städte- und Gemeindebund e.V.hsgb.de
2. 2Hessischer Städte- und Gemeindebund – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Hessischer Städte- und Gemeindebund – Wikidatawikidata.org