Youth Participation in Rosengarten: From Idea to Youth Council

Youth Participation in Rosengarten: A Structured Process Begins

Young people are not only the future—they are also key players in the community today. In the municipality of Rosengarten, the focus in 2026 is clearly on the participation of children and youth in political and social processes. After several discussions and a pilot project in the neighboring municipality of Tostedt, Rosengarten is now embarking on the path to establish a sustainable youth participation structure.

From TEMP Projects to a Youth Council: The Role of External Support

The municipality of Rosengarten closely collaborates with TEMP Projects, a local initiative with many years of experience in youth promotion. Maik Peyko, a certified social educator and director of TEMP Projects, moderates the process and provides process guidance. His experience as a municipal youth welfare officer and moderator of youth forums is crucial.

In April 2026, a presentation on methods of youth participation took place in the Youth, Social and Sports Committee. This Phase 1 served as a sensitization step and preparation for the Youth Forum on June 13, 2026. The goal is to establish a body such as a youth council or youth advisory board, which will be regularly involved in political decisions in the future.

The Youth Forum: Collecting Ideas – Gaining Influence

The central event of the project is the Youth Forum on June 13, 2026. It is aimed at children and young people aged 10 to 17 and provides a space for creative ideas and constructive debates. Topics such as vandalism prevention, park safety, litter collection campaigns, and the reduction of plastic use have already been central in similar projects.

At the Youth Forum, not only wishes are collected, but political processes are also made transparent. Young people learn how decisions are made and what limits exist. These insights will later be included in recommendations, which will be presented in the committee or municipal council.

Nenndorf Leisure Facility: Youth Participation in a Practical Context

A central topic in the participation process is the Nenndorf Leisure Facility. The skate park has been a recurring topic in political bodies in the past, but youth participation has so far remained fragmented. With the Youth Forum, a structured process is now to be created that will broaden the use of the facility and simultaneously develop youth-friendly leisure offers.

The administration plans to use the Youth Forum as a participation process for the further development of the leisure facility. In this process, the ideas of young people will directly influence the planning. This approach is part of a comprehensive youth leisure strategy, which is to be expanded in the coming years.

From Pilot Project to Structured Youth Participation

The municipality of Rosengarten has deliberately opted for a structured, multi-phase process. After the sensitization phase (Phase 1), the implementation of the Youth Forum (Phase 2), the presentation of the results (Phase 3) and the development of recommendations (Phase 4) will follow. This process should not only be a one-time event, but serve as the basis for a long-term youth participation structure.

With the establishment of a youth council or youth advisory board, Rosengarten will take the lead in the region. In the future, young people should not only be heard, but also actively included and involved in decision-making processes—marking a milestone for democratic education and participation in the municipality.

Outlook: Youth Participation as an Investment in the Future

The steps taken by Rosengarten in 2026 are not only a pilot project, but an investment in the future of the municipality. With the establishment of a youth council and the inclusion of young people in practical projects such as the Nenndorf Leisure Facility, the municipality will sustainably change its political landscape.

Through the cooperation with TEMP Projects, the support of the youth welfare officer Benjamin Gaum, and the willingness of the administration to provide budget funds, Rosengarten has created the prerequisites to take on a role model function in the region. The results of the Youth Forum will define the next steps from June 2026 onwards—and perhaps mark the beginning of a new era of youth participation.