Youth Policy in Erlangen: How the City Empowers Young People

Youth Policy in Erlangen: Participation and Future Perspectives

Youth policy has a fixed place on the municipal agenda in Erlangen. In April 2026, it will become clear just how active the city remains in this field – through a wide range of projects, strategies, and investments aimed at creating youth-friendly living conditions and placing young people at the center of urban development.

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The Sub-Plan "Growing Up in Erlangen" – A Milestone

The Youth Sub-Plan, adopted in 2021, has established itself as a central guideline for youth policy work in Erlangen. The goal is to shape youth work in a youth-appropriate manner – through a participatory process. The results of this plan can be viewed on the platform erwachsenwerden-erlangen.de.

A central element is the focus on informal and non-formal educational offers. Although school-based offers remain important, they are deliberately excluded to strengthen youth work as an independent field. The modular structure of the plan also allows for extensions and adjustments to changing conditions – a flexibility that is crucial in a dynamic environment like youth promotion.

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The Youth Work Charter – Guidelines for an Inclusive City

Another milestone in youth policy is the Youth Work Charter. It was jointly developed with young people, parents, stakeholders, and the administration and was adopted by the Youth Welfare Committee with a unanimous vote of 14 to 0. The Charter is a binding guideline that anchors principles such as inclusion, diversity, self-organization, and barrier-free access.

The Charter is expected to be presented in May 2026 during the anniversary event "100 Years of Youth Services." This will not only use it as a political instrument but also symbolically as part of the city's long-term commitment to young people.

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Full-Day Schools and Childcare – Investment in the Future

The expansion of full-day schools and childcare services is another key focus. Erlangen has committed to establishing a mandatory full-day class at Tennenlohe Primary School starting in the academic year 2026/2027. The city will cover the material costs and provide a lump-sum financial contribution.

With the flexibility of full-day childcare services (GGTS) and an increase in state funding by 25% from 2026/2027, it is clear that the city is not only focusing on school-based childcare but also on the psychosocial development of young people.

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Leisure-Time Offers and Inclusion – Equal Opportunities for All

Leisure time is a central aspect of young people's lives. Erlangen is making targeted efforts to meet these needs – through better equipment of public meeting places, simplified room usage, and the expansion of inclusive offers.

A special project is the development of a municipal leisure-time app with a filter function that guides young people to relevant offers. In addition, the ErlangenPass has been introduced to include economically disadvantaged youth in leisure-time activities. Multilingualism and barrier-free access are integral parts of the strategy.

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School Construction and Renovations – Investment in Educational Infrastructure

The renovation of Pestalozzischule and the planning of the external areas of Eichendorffschule show how much the city is investing in physical infrastructure. Both schools serve as central places for education and integration – particularly for children with a migration background and from financially burdened families.

For example, Eichendorffschule has a particularly high proportion of students with special educational needs. The renovation plans include replacing windows with energy-efficient plastic windows with triple glazing. Pestalozzischule, on the other hand, urgently needs renovation measures, as its building condition is considered incompatible with the city's vision.

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Youth Policy as Part of Democratic Education

A central message of the current youth policy in Erlangen is the strengthening of democratic participation. Young people not only have the right to be heard but also to shape and contribute to decision-making processes.

The Youth Work Charter and the Sub-Plan "Growing Up in Erlangen" anchor these principles. Offers are voluntary, low-threshold, and promote self-organization. In addition, evaluation and feedback cycles are used to continuously improve the quality of the measures.

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Conclusion: A City That Thinks Ahead

Erlangen shows with its youth policy how a city can be youth-friendly – through investments in education, leisure time, and infrastructure, but also through the active inclusion of young people in decision-making processes. The Youth Work Charter, the Children and Youth Summit, and the expansion of full-day schools are not only political acts but also signs of a long-term commitment to the next generation.

In a time when the future of cities is increasingly shaped by young people, it is crucial to understand them as partners and not just as a target group. Erlangen sets a good example with a clear strategy and solid financial backing.