Youth Policy in Göttingen: Expansion of School Social Work and Neighborhood Support in Focus

Expansion of Youth Welfare: March 2026 in Göttingen

The city of Göttingen has increasingly focused on the needs of young people in recent years. In March 2026, several key decisions were made that could shape the future of youth policy in the region. In particular, the expansion of school social work and the improvement of youth work in the districts came into the spotlight.

Expansion of School Social Work: The LISA Project

A central motion by the Youth Welfare Committee concerned the expansion of school social work in the LISA project (Learning and Integration Support in Schools). Jointly proposed by the parliamentary groups of B’90/The Greens and the SPD, the motion aims to increase the number of school social workers in Göttingen in order to sustainably strengthen social and psychosocial support in schools.

Discussions in the committee emphasized that the number of young people experiencing psychological stress and social risks continues to rise. At the same time, resources in schools often prove insufficient to meet all needs. Therefore, the expansion of LISA sends not only an educational, but also an important social policy signal.

Support for Youth Work in the Districts

Another focus was the support for youth work in the districts of Göttingen. A motion by the Bündnis 90/The Greens parliamentary group called for a revision of the criteria for allocating funds from the Youth Welfare Fund in order to provide more targeted support for youth initiatives in the peripheral areas of the city.

The current distribution of funds is viewed critically, as some districts have received less support in the past despite a clear need for youth work. The proposal aims to enable a more transparent and demand-oriented allocation of funds that also includes smaller initiatives and associations more strongly.

Socially Oriented Child and Youth Welfare

Another topic was the short concept for socially oriented child and youth welfare. This concept aims to anchor youth welfare not only institutionally, but above all in the social environment of children and young people. The goal is to strengthen local networks and improve the integration of support into the everyday lives of young people.

Discussions in the city showed that there are still many challenges in this area, particularly in the coordination between different providers of youth welfare. Nevertheless, the approach is considered forward-looking, as it takes the individual life worlds of young people into greater account.

Looking to the Future: What Comes Next?

The decisions made in March 2026 form an important basis for the further development of youth policy in Göttingen. The expansion of school social work and the stronger support of youth work in the districts could contribute to a sustainable improvement in the quality of life for young people. At the same time, it remains crucial to establish socially oriented child and youth welfare as a long-term strategy.

The next meetings of the Youth Parliament and the Youth Welfare Committee will show whether these political proposals can be implemented in practice – and whether they meet the expectations of young people in Göttingen.