SHORT DESCRIPTION

Initial cue

Young people in Edelsgrub had no lobby of any kind; this lack was made good in a participation process in which they articulated their interests and informed the local council about these. For this purpose they elected spokespeople, and official partners corresponding to these were appointed.

Goal

With the help of the association “Yougend.st” (which exists to promote participation by young people in Styrian communities) a participation process was initiated in which young people can experience their community as a living space that they can help to organize. This improves their quality of life and increases their sense of identification with the community. The aim is for the local council to collaborate on an equal basis with active young people on projects and initiatives.
Collective activities such as a football tournament for young people, a film evening and the initiative “Youth sweeps through the council offices” ensued - the latter involving adapting the council offices for an “information gallery” open to the public. The young people concerned acted as guides through this exhibition on the results of the participation process.

Sequence of events

 

• Resolution by the local council

• Preliminary meetings between the association Yougend.st and about 15 people (council members, the mayor, other community representatives)

• Start of collaboration with adults

• Informatory meeting for young people

• Questionnaire drawn up together with young people

• Future workshops – the watchword being “The young people came, saw and got things moving …”

• Spokespeople elected

• Public “information gallery” in the council offices to present the results of the participation process

• Documentation and ongoing news in the council newsletter