Schwedt Embraces Participation and the Future: Education Policy in Focus in February 2026

Education and Participation in Schwedt: A New Era Begins

The town of Schwedt/Oder has positioned itself as a pioneer in education policy and youth promotion in February 2026. With a broad political process involving both content and structural innovations, the municipality has realigned its strategy for work with children and youth. The meeting of the Culture, Education, and Social Committee on February 17 marked not only a milestone, but also a clear message: Schwedt wants to actively involve children and young people in shaping the future.

The 2026–2030 Framework Concept: A Strategic Realignment

The Framework Concept for Work with Children and Youth 2026–2030, unanimously recommended, is the central pillar of Schwedt’s new education policy. It replaces the city concept “Youth has a Future”, in place since 1999, and focuses on participation, inclusion, and sustainability.

Central to this concept is the development of a Children and Youth Charter, which is to be adopted by the end of 2026. This charter will serve as a guideline for young people’s participation and also form the basis for a broad model of involvement. The charter is part of the campaign “Space for Tomorrow”, which promotes greater youth participation at the local level.

Another central goal is the realignment of youth work in the districts, in order to increase reach and effectiveness. This also includes the establishment of the Youth Working Group as a permanent forum for professionals, associations, and the administration. In addition, cooperation between school social work and non-formal youth work is to be strengthened in order to actively address issues such as democratic education and drug prevention.

Participation as a Key: The Children and Youth Participation Ordinance and More

The Children and Youth Participation Ordinance, introduced in 2022, and the Children and Youth Participation Guidelines from 2024 are important prerequisites for the current realignment. The city has made significant progress in recent years, such as the establishment of the full-time position of the Children and Youth Ombudsman (2023) and the increase in the Children and Youth Budget for micro-projects.

Within the Framework Concept 2026–2030, a participatory drafting process is being carried out. Young people, independent organizations, politics, and the administration are actively involved. The professional support is provided by Mr. Steffen Adam from the advisory network for children and youth participation in Brandenburg. This shows how much Schwedt relies on expertise and involvement from various sectors.

Challenges and Resistance: The Motion for the Youth Charter

Not all motions received equal approval from council members. The motion for the expansion of participation formats (AN/022/25) was rejected in the meeting on February 17 with 1 yes vote, 6 no votes, and no abstentions. This shows that there are also discrepancies and resistance within Schwedt’s political landscape – especially when it comes to additional resources or long-term commitments.

Nevertheless, the Children and Youth Charter remains a central project that stands as a symbolic milestone beyond political consensus. It is intended not only to define the rights of young people, but also to set a clear course of action for the municipality.

Outlook: Schwedt as a Model City for Youth Participation

With the new framework concept and the development of the youth charter, Schwedt has set a clear course for the future. The city shows that education policy and youth promotion cannot be considered in isolation, but must be closely linked to social developments and democratic values.

The next few months will be decisive in implementing the concepts, strengthening youth participation, and establishing Schwedt as a model for other municipalities in the Brandenburg region. With a broad participation process and the inclusion of young people in decision-making, Schwedt has already demonstrated that the future can be shaped not only for, but also with children and youth.