Search

Lena
Eck

Position
Advisor
E-Mail
eck@zentrum-neue-sozialpolitik.org
Telephone
+493035122746

Lena Eck worked as an advisor at the ZSP from November 2023 to September 2025.

Question
01

What would you like to see receive more attention in the socio-political discourse?

Social policy is often understood as a response to individual hardship—especially when a person's ability to work is limited. I would like to see more room for a perspective that views social policy as a creative force and thus invests specifically in the potential of people and society.

Question
02

What does “new social policy” mean to you personally?

For me, a new social policy is people-centered and empowering. It goes beyond social security systems focused on protection and thus encompasses all (cross-cutting) issues that support people in their self-development and self-realization. At the same time, I believe it also takes a systemic approach—wherever structural barriers exclude or disadvantage certain social groups.

Question
03

What has inspired you most recently?

A documentary about Japan's philosophy of the five elements (fire, water, earth, air, and spirit): It impressively shows how the island nation manages to harmonize technological advancement with a connection to nature and living tradition. A key factor in this is the mindful consideration of future generations.

  • 2 Authors
August 11, 2025

Mehr als Altersvorsorge

Mit der „Frühstart-Rente“ will die Bundesregierung gezielt junge Menschen fördern und sie beim Einstieg in den Kapitalmarkt unterstützen. Ein Ansatz mit Potenzial, sagen Lena Eck und Dominic Afscharian – vor allem, wenn er mit Maßnahmen zur Stärkung der Finanzbildung verknüpft wird. So könnte die Regierung auf Ungleichheiten beim Zugang zu Kapitalanlagen reagieren.

  • Studies
  • 5 Authors

The Initial Capital

Opportunities are unevenly distributed in Germany. Despite considerable efforts, many people are unable to build up the wealth that would enable them to live a self-determined life. To reduce inequality of opportunity, we propose an Initial Capital that would empower socially disadvantaged individuals to make self-determined decisions.

  • Spotlight
  • 3 Authors

Unequal Opportunities, Low Trust

In Germany, one's background often determines one's future. Social advancement seems virtually unattainable for many, and trust in politics is alarmingly low. Our latest study shows that a large part of the population wants a welfare state that creates real opportunities and reduces inequalities. However, without fundamental reforms, the promise of the social market economy is in danger of becoming an illusion.

    Opportunities abgeschlossen

Entlastungsmaßnahmen in Zeiten von Transformation und Krisen

Deutschland steht vor erheblichen Transformationsprozessen, allen voran die sozial-ökologische Wende. Zusätzlich belasten zahlreiche Krisensituationen die Bevölkerung und erfordern schnelles politisches Handeln.

© 2025