Youth Policy in Wilhelmshaven: How Prevention, Networks, and Engagement Shape the Future

Youth Policy in Wilhelmshaven: How Prevention, Networks, and Engagement Shape the Future

Youth support in Wilhelmshaven has become increasingly prominent in recent years. With a broad range of prevention projects, collaborations, and financial planning, the city is implementing a sustainable strategy to empower young people and promote social inclusion. The focus is not only on school safety, but also on the long-term integration of disadvantaged children and youth.

Prevention Work: From Mediation to Self-Defense

A central component of youth policy in Wilhelmshaven is prevention work. Between 2024 and 2025, over 65,600 people, including 3,820 children and young people, were reached by various projects. Particularly noteworthy is the training of 220 mediators at elementary schools, who act as multipliers for social skills.

In addition, two successful violence prevention weeks were held at schools, featuring lectures, plays, and collaborations with the police and local associations. The regularity of women's self-defense courses in May, September, and November also demonstrates the city's efforts to promote safety and self-assertion.

Another milestone was the 2024 autumn camp for disadvantaged elementary school students, which not only provided educational opportunities but also fostered social integration. Overnight stays and structured activities created a space where children could gain new experiences.

Networks and Collaborations: Working Together for Greater Integration

Youth support in Wilhelmshaven is highly networked. Project groups, working circles, and networks ensure that the work is not conducted in isolation but in close cooperation with partners. For example, the working group "Domestic Violence" has been established as a collaborative project between VKP, Siemens, and the Rotary Club.

In addition, the city's youth welfare services are closely connected with the youth office, school social work, and external organizations such as church communities, security advisors, and service clubs. These collaborations not only improve the networking of services but also enable more efficient implementation of projects such as the "Klippo" project, which promotes safety symbols in public spaces.

In 2026, a Klippo Summer Festival is even planned to serve as a central public event for safety and prevention. These projects demonstrate how important it is for various actors to work together to shape sustainable youth support.

Financial Planning and Projects: Clarity in the Budget

Financially, Wilhelmshaven is also well positioned in youth support. For 2026, municipal subsidies of 72,280 euros are planned, enabling the funding of projects such as mediator training, autumn camps, and self-defense courses. Total revenues and expenditures in 2026 are relatively balanced, with 110,480 euros in revenue and 105,000 euros in expenses, with the account balance standing at around 6,000 euros in August 2025.

Compared to previous years, in which deficits of over 20,000 euros occurred, a positive development is evident. Nevertheless, a financial reserve of approximately 20,000 euros is necessary to ensure future projects. Funding is provided through municipal subsidies, donation income, and membership fees.

Looking Ahead: Youth Parliament and New Projects

Important political dates are scheduled for February 2026. The Youth Welfare Committee meets on February 11 with an agenda that includes topics such as foster parents, integration projects, and the youth office's future perspectives. The Youth Parliament meeting on February 26, however, has been canceled, which may indicate organizational or thematic reasons.

For 2026, new projects such as the class workshop "Max and Min@" are planned, which addresses media literacy and cyberbullying, as well as safety training for professionals. These projects underline the strategic orientation of youth support in Wilhelmshaven, which is both preventive and educational in nature.

Conclusion: Sustainable Youth Policy Requires Structure, Collaboration, and Investment

Youth policy in Wilhelmshaven has become significantly more professional in recent years. Prevention, networks, and financial planning form the pillars of a sustainable strategy. Projects such as mediators, self-defense courses, and autumn camps not only promote safety but also social participation. At the same time, collaboration with partners is crucial to achieving long-term success.

In the coming years, it will be important to further develop these structures, ensure financial resources, and actively promote youth participation. Only then can Wilhelmshaven shape youth policy that looks to the future and does not merely react to the present.