Youth Policy in Herten: Expansion of Daycare Centers, Participation, and Sustainability in Focus

Expansion of Daycare Centers in Herten: Kita Distelpink as a Model Project

The city of Herten is focusing on sustainability and forward-looking planning in childcare. A central project is the construction of the new Kita Distelpink in Herten-Disteln. With a total of 80 childcare places, distributed across three groups (under 3 years, 2–6 years, 3–6 years), the facility is expected to meet the region's demand for high-quality childcare from 2027. The single-story hybrid timber construction highlights the focus on climate protection and sustainability, including a heat pump, controlled ventilation, photovoltaics, rainwater use, and fire safety according to DIN 4109.

Financially, the project will be funded from the economic plan and possibly through subsidies, with a project budget of 3.78 million euros plus a 20% risk surcharge. During the construction process, an interim operation will take place on Wörthstraße until the building is completed in 2027. The decision to change the originally planned two-story construction to a single-story concept is based on cost efficiency and better structural and pedagogical advantages.

Strengthening Participation: New Funding Guidelines for Youth Projects

In February 2026, the Youth Welfare Committee approved the new Guideline 5 for the promotion of the involvement of children and young people. It will come into effect on April 1, 2026, and provides funding for projects such as workshops, festivals, and democracy promotion up to 2,000 euros (up to 10,000 euros for collaborations).

A central aspect is the submission of a concept with a cost breakdown and proof of the use of funds within one month after project completion. A budget of 10,000 euros from the city's budget is available for implementation. The goal is to strengthen young people’s political and social participation and actively involve them in project design. This guideline is a step toward a participatory youth policy that considers the interests of young people in Herten more strongly.

Open Youth Work: Provider Assigned for Herten-South

In Open Youth Work (OKJA), the city of Herten is in need of partners. The provider role in Herten-South has been assigned to the association Waldritter-NRW e.V., which scored 8.75 points in the evaluation. The association will continue its work from March 1, 2026, with an annual budget of 195,000 euros including an inflation adjustment.

Two providers applied for the provider role: Waldritter e.V. and Falkentreff Herten. The decision in favor of Waldritter was based on its long-standing experience and regional anchoring. The goal of OKJA is to support children and young people in their leisure time, strengthen social skills, and provide space for creative and sporting activities.

KiBiz Reform: Challenges for Small Daycare Centers

The reform of the North Rhine-Westphalia KiBiz program brings changes that particularly burden small daycare centers. From August 1, 2028, the special grant for single-group daycare centers will be abolished, and future funding for assistants will be tied to the number of children. This negatively affects the financial stability of small facilities. One daycare center in Herten is directly affected by this.

At the same time, the reform includes increased funding for education and a training offensive, aiming to improve the quality of childcare in the long term. To optimize the transitions between daycare, school, and Open After-School Care (OGS), an integrated planning approach is also planned. Childcare remains an important part of the childcare offer—currently, 124 out of 177 places are filled.

Outlook: Future-Proof Youth Policy in Herten

The decisions of the Youth Welfare Committee show a clear trend: Herten is investing in the future of its children and young people. With a focus on participation, sustainability, and high-quality childcare, the city aims to address the challenges of demographic change and the climate crisis.

The implementation of the projects—from Kita Distelpink to the reform of KiBiz funding—will be crucial in the coming months. Success is only possible for those who do not just make political decisions, but also bring along the resources, structures, and people on the ground. Herten has sent a clear signal with its current meeting: The future belongs to the children.