How the Bürgerportal Bergisch Gladbach started

The Bürgerportal in GL was founded in 2009 as a limited liability entrepreneurial company (UG) by Werner Schmitz-Dietzsch and Georg Watzlawek. Their vision was to develop a digital newspaper in the form of a daily newsletter, while also establishing a digital platform for businesses, associations, and local initiatives.

From 2009 to 2013, both managed the Bürgerportal on a part-time basis. However, since 2014, Georg Watzlawek has been the sole full-time operator of the Bürgerportal.