Youth Policy in Aachen: Establishment of the Youth Council, Inclusion Allowance, and Play Areas

Establishment of the Youth Council: Strengthening Bottom-Up Democracy

In the second half of the previous year, the city of Aachen created a legal framework for a Youth Council in accordance with § 27a of the North Rhine-Westphalia Municipal Code (GO NRW). The concrete establishment was decided in May and June 2026. The Youth Council is designed as an official voice for young people aged 11 to 15 and consists of 24 regular members and 10 advisory members.

The term of office initially lasts two years, and the election process is hybrid, including digital voting. The administration emphasizes that the Youth Council is being set up as a "learning format," which will be evaluated and adjusted if necessary after the first term. Data protection and anti-bullying measures are central topics in this context.

The Youth Council is not only intended to be a forum for youth concerns but also to implement independent projects. For this purpose, it receives a budget of 20,000 euros, used in close cooperation with the administration. The funds come from the budget line of Department 01/300.

To promote participation, a comprehensive marketing campaign is planned, utilizing social media channels, influencers, and multipliers such as youth groups and district student representatives. The official launch of the Youth Council is scheduled for July 15, 2026, pending the availability of budget funds.

Inclusion Allowance: Support for Schools Despite Funding Cuts

The Inclusion Allowance, which has financed school-based inclusion since 2014, also played a central role in the discussions of the Children's and Youth Committee. For the school year 2026/2027, it was decided to primarily use the funds for the model project KOBSI (Cooperative Support in Schools).

KOBSI supports children with special educational needs through systemic support at three schools in Aachen. However, the state funds for the Inclusion Allowance were limited, necessitating savings. Frau Schmitt-Promny emphasized that the support for children with special needs must not be overlooked.

The city of Aachen is expected to receive 580,000 euros from the Inclusion Allowance for the school year 2026/2027. Of this, 180,000 euros will be passed on to the Aachen City Region to fund KOBSI. The allocation of funds was discussed in several committees and ultimately unanimously approved.

Consumption-Free Play and Family Area: Family-Friendliness in the City Center

Another project decided upon in recent months is the establishment of a temporary, consumption-free play and family area in the Aachen city center. The area will be set up during the summer holidays of 2026 in the Annahalle (Annastraße).

The offer is aimed at families with children of different ages and provides play and craft activities. Funding is partially allocated from the previous year's budget and supplemented by new funds for play materials and public relations. Supervision will be provided by municipal students, although the responsibility for supervision remains with the parents.

The play area is seen as a low-threshold offering that enhances the attractiveness of the city center and simultaneously represents an important component of supplementary family-based childcare. The establishment was unanimously approved by the Children's and Youth Committee, and the administration will be responsible for implementation.

Conclusion: Youth Policy as a Central Element of Municipal Future

The decisions of recent months show that youth policy holds a high priority in Aachen. With the Youth Council, a new format of participation is being created, which directly involves young people in political decision-making processes. At the same time, inclusion measures and family-friendly offerings are being strengthened to sustainably improve the living conditions of children and young people.

Challenges remain, however: The funding cuts for the Inclusion Allowance show that political priorities are also financially limited. Nevertheless, the establishment of the Youth Council is a milestone that can sustainably enrich democracy in Aachen.