Youth Policy in Hagen: Challenges, Progress, and Future Visions

Youth Policy in Hagen: Challenges, Progress, and Future Visions

The city of Hagen has established itself in recent years as a particularly youth-friendly municipality. In April 2026, this was once again evident in a variety of decisions that influence the future of child and youth work, the development of care infrastructure, and the funding of youth programs. The focus was on three central topics: mental health, childcare, and youth support.

1. Mental Health: Expanding Care Services

Mental health in children and young people is a central issue in youth policy. Hagen is actively investing in this area. For example, the city has received 200,000 euros in funding for the establishment of a new Child and Youth Psychiatric Social Services Unit. This expansion is part of a state initiative aiming to significantly expand inpatient and outpatient care – with the goal of enabling more children and young people to access psychiatric care.

In addition to inpatient services, Hagen is also focusing on outpatient offerings. The Ministry for Labour, Health, and Social Affairs (MAGS) has urged the city to strengthen outpatient psychotherapy for children and young people. In this context, 13 additional therapy spaces for child therapists have already been created. At the same time, in North Rhine-Westphalia, a law is being discussed to legally establish Community Psychiatric Partnerships (GPV), which aim to strengthen the coordination of regional services.

2. Childcare: New Construction and Expansion

In the field of childcare, Hagen is investing in physical infrastructure. Several new construction and renovation projects at childcare facilities are in planning or already underway. These include the Kita Jungfernbruch II, which will provide space for 75 children (including 22 under the age of three), and the new building at Prentzelstraße 6, with total costs exceeding 10 million euros.

Hagen has also set a clear goal: the inclusive orientation of childcare centers. New facilities are designed to be barrier-free and offer space for children with disabilities. At the same time, language support programs are being expanded – for instance, by extending the funding for plusKITAs, where staff require additional qualifications in the field of language education.

Another central project is the new building of the Friedrich-Harkort School, which was decided due to the unavailability of the existing building. The school will remain operational during the construction phase, demonstrating that Hagen also prioritizes continuity in the education sector even during major construction projects.

3. Youth Support: Funding, Participation, and Structural Development

Youth support in Hagen is characterized by a strong network of municipal institutions, independent providers, and youth organizations. In April 2026, funding issues were particularly prominent. The city's fifth Children and Youth Support Plan is valid for the period 2026–2030 and includes a funding increase of about one million euros. However, the Youth Welfare Committee had to accept cuts in some areas due to budget constraints – for instance in the areas of language support, substance abuse counseling, and youth cafés.

Hagen's youth centers and programs are diverse: from the Youth Café Real to the Youth Culture Center Kultopia and the Youth Art School "Kunst vor Ort". These institutions offer not only leisure activities but also political education, media education, and resilience training. For example, it was decided in April 2026 to secure funding for the Youth Lounge Mitte, even after state funding ends.

Another important topic was youth participation. According to surveys, young people demand more say in schools, youth centers, and public spaces. Hagen is striving to respond to these demands – for example, by establishing the Youth Lounge Mitte, which serves as a networking hub for youth support, youth counseling, and school social work. In addition, it was decided to plan a new youth support facility in the social area of Zentrum/Remberg.

Outlook: Hagen as a Model for Youth-Friendly Policy

The decisions of April 2026 show that Hagen has a clear vision for the future of youth policy. By investing in mental health, childcare, and youth support, the city is pursuing long-term, inclusive, and participatory youth policy. At the same time, Hagen remains sensitive to funding issues, not least to avoid cuts in important areas.

The challenges remain significant: The demand for childcare is increasing, funding shortages persist, and social inequalities remain a topic. However, Hagen proves with concrete measures that a youth-friendly city is possible even in financially uncertain times.