Jobcenter Bremen names new director, tightens transparency after Kreativraum spending scandal

The governing board of Jobcenter Bremen approved measures to increase transparency over public‑fund use and to restructure its leadership following the controversy surrounding the "Kreativraum" project. Effective 1 August 2026, Carsten Glawatz, formerly head of Internal Service at the Federal Employment Agency in Bremen‑Bremerhaven, will become the new director, succeeding interim manager Wiebke Nelson with a contract running until 31 August 2027. Dr. Gunnar Isenberg will assume the chair of the governing board, alternating the roles of agency and municipal leadership.

The SPD parliamentary group criticised the €1.2 million cost for two Jobcenter rooms as disproportionate and noted that the decision was made without informing the governing board or oversight bodies. As a result, the former CEO was dismissed with immediate effect, a compliance team from the Federal Employment Agency was assigned to investigate the planning, implementation and financing of the rooms, and the Jobcenter’s autonomy over its overall budget was curtailed, requiring federal approval for larger expenditures.