Young Hoyerswerdaer demand participation - watch on, politics!

Young Hoyerswerdaer demand participation - watch on, politics!

Hoyerswerda, Deutschland - in Hoyerswerda young people are increasingly involved in the design of their city. Henriette Meixner from the Youth Club Poko sums it up: "We are part of society and have the right to participate in their design." But what about reality?

A hurdle is the insufficient advertising for the community budget in schools, as Meixner states. A simple call could already encourage many young people to participate. Korina Jenßen from the city administration emphasizes the need to involve students aged 16 and over more. "We want more ideas and suggestions," she says, to promote youth participation.

The community budget - an opportunity for everyone

The community budget in Hoyerswerda actually offers a platform: citizens can propose projects that may then be implemented. This direct participation in public funds is already a biggest step towards the participation of the population hoyerswerda.de .

Cindy Paulick from the partnership for democracy also emphasizes how important it is to better use the existing resources in order to strengthen democratic coexistence. In the successful collaboration in the “Grüner Saum” project, for example, older adults were able to help shape a barbecue area, while young people were allowed to bring their meeting point on the Black Elster themselves.

youth councilor - raise votes

The youth city council (Justra) in Hoyerswerda has not only organized a football tournament in the past two years, but also launched a garbage collection campaign. Nevertheless, the outgoing chairman Franz Bleck sees a need for action: “It is incomprehensible that we have no voting rights in the city council. After all, the youngsters have to live the longest with the decisions.”

The social worker Nancy Hauke ​​points out that many young people do not immediately express their ideas and wishes about a good coexistence. The key lies in the promotion of open communication structures and the creation of a fair framework for your ideas.

A look beyond the city limits

But what about the participation of the youth in municipal decisions in Germany? An investigation of the bpb shows that this is still little widespread, but enormous opportunities for the future of the municipalities. Initial approaches in other cities such as Steglitz-Zehlendorf and Marzahn-Hellersdorf show that up to 25% of the suggestions from young people come through targeted youth households.

In order to support the participation of young people, targeted communication strategies and the creation of supportive framework conditions are necessary. The call for participation is also a way to seriously involve young people in decision -making processes. "We have to reduce the complexity of political processes in order to make participation easier for young people," said the common tenor.

Hoyerswerda has the chance to enable real participation through stronger youth work. A good knack for future cooperation with the young people could bring the city to a promising course.