Youth Participation in Marburg: The Conclusion of the 14th KiJuPa and Outlooks

Farewell and New Beginning: The End of the 14th KiJuPa

On February 5, 2026, the final session of the 14th Children's and Youth Parliament (KiJuPa) in Marburg took place. In the meeting hall of the City Council at Barfüßerstraße 50, young people, representatives from education and politics, as well as committed partners gathered to review achievements and plan the path forward. The conclusion marks not only the end of a legislative period but also an opportunity to reflect on the structure and commitment of youth participation in Marburg.

Structure and Topics: How does KiJuPa make an impact?

The KiJuPa Marburg is an official participation forum for young people aged 12 to 18. It is supported by the city of Marburg and is part of a statewide network that operates under the umbrella of HUSKJ (Hesse for Strong Children's and Youth Parliaments).

Several central topics were on the agenda in the final session:

• Information on 2026 Castle Events: A cooperation with cultural and social initiatives was discussed to better involve young people in the planning process.
• Research Project on Children's and Youth Parliaments: KiJuPa Marburg is participating in a scientific project analyzing the effectiveness and development of youth parliaments in Hesse.
• Collaboration with Student Councils: Discussions focused on better networking and joint projects to strengthen participation at the school level.
• Q&A with concrete topics: Young people asked about plastic waste disposal on the marketplace and the number of traffic lights in the city – examples of the everyday relevance of participation.

These topics show that the KiJuPa is not only a symbolic platform but actively influences political and social discourse.

Future of Youth Participation: Outlook and Further Development

With the dissolution of the 14th KiJuPa, the search for new young people to join the next legislative period begins. Friederike Könitz, team leader of the Youth Education Center and deputy head of the department, emphasized the importance of continuous participation in the final session. She stressed that young people must not only be treated as "listeners" but as partners in the development of democracy.

The collaboration with other participation projects like the KiJuPa Marburg-Biedenkopf or the KiJuPa Offenbach also offers opportunities for networking, exchange, and cooperation across municipal boundaries.

Conclusion: Youth Participation as a Central Component of Democracy

The work of KiJuPa Marburg shows that youth participation is not only a matter of youth policy but has a firm place in the city's overall planning. The final session was not only a farewell but also an impulse for the future: With new ideas, new participants, and new projects, youth participation in Marburg can be further developed.

The city of Marburg has created a model with the KiJuPa that other municipalities can adopt – provided they invest in structures, transparency, and the willingness to listen to young voices.