see-Camp©Ben Kuhlmann

Our impact study

We want to understand how design can strengthen democracy, improve people’s quality of life, and enhance social cohesion in the Frankfurt RheinMain region. To do this, we are conducting a comprehensive impact study (de & en) together with Acker Impact and Leonardo Impact.

In November and December 2025, two surveys were conducted: one targeted residents of the Frankfurt RheinMain region, and the other focused on people working in the creative industries. These initial surveys provide an overview of the starting point before the World Design Capital year. At the end of the WDC year, both surveys will be repeated to assess the changes brought about by WDC 2026 and its projects. Throughout the year, feedback, experiences and data are also collected continuously from both organisers and participants of the events and projects.

You’ll find all the key information and the timeline in this document:

All information

Acker Impact

Empowerment through practice and research.
Guided by this credo, Acker Impact (Acker Research & Impact gGmbH) supports organisations and projects in maximising their effectiveness and achieving measurable, sustainable change.

Founded in 2024 as a spin-off of Acker e.V. – a Berlin-based social enterprise that has been impact-oriented from the very beginning – Acker Impact shares its practical expertise in impact management and impact research through workshops, training sessions, tailored consulting, and research projects. Its goal is to enable organisations to establish their own impact-oriented structures.

In addition, Acker Impact develops systematic approaches to impact measurement and conducts impact studies and project evaluations in collaboration with practice partners.

Leonardo. Impact

As a software company, Leonardo Impact supports organisations and investors in measuring, verifying, and reporting their social and environmental impact. The technology is based on scientific research and uses artificial intelligence to streamline the entire process.

Founded in 2023 in Frankfurt am Main by Jan Moellmann, Jasper Klemm, and Sam Khew as a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Leonardo’s software solution is now used in many countries around the world. It provides businesses and investors with stability, credibility, and efficiency in the field of impact measurement.