Youth-focused initiative in Dietzenbach gains backing from Children's Aid organization
In the heart of Dietzenbach, a small German town, a unique project is underway - the transformation of a building wagon into a vibrant youth meeting place for young people aged 10 to 15. This innovative space, known as the Aktivspielplatz Wilde Wiese, would not have been possible without the financial support from the German Children's Aid Foundation (Deutsche Kinderschutzstiftung).
The German Children's Aid Foundation, an organisation dedicated to promoting children's rights, participation, and self-initiative, has provided a grant of 5,194 euros for this project. This funding has been instrumental in enabling the realisation of similar projects across Germany in the last five years, totalling around 13 million euros.
The project in Dietzenbach follows a participation-oriented approach, with the young people themselves taking responsibility and actively shaping their space. This approach fosters self-organisation, teamwork, and decision-making skills among the young participants.
14-year-old Neil, one of the young people involved, expresses his enjoyment of the youth meeting place, saying, "It's a great place to have fun, play football, build things, and talk with friends." The space is already being used by the young people as a meeting place for these activities.
The project focuses on self-responsibility, teamwork, and the acquisition of craft skills, social competencies, and planning and calculation experience. With the guidance of social pedagogues, the young people are learning valuable life skills that extend beyond the confines of the building wagon.
The city administration recognises the importance of projects like the one in Dietzenbach, stating that they create creative meeting places and spaces where young people can take responsibility and experience democratic values in everyday life.
Through the German Children's Aid Foundation's support, the youth meeting place in Dietzenbach aims to provide a safe, attractive space for young people to engage in creative or social activities, foster social inclusion and empowerment, and promote personal development, education, and social integration. For detailed programmatic and financial support information, direct contact with the German Children's Aid Foundation or the involved local youth services is necessary.
What kind of lifestyle is encouraged at the Aktivspielplatz Wilde Wiese in Dietzenbach, a home-and-garden transformation funded by the German Children's Aid Foundation? It's an outdoor-living space that promotes self-responsibility, teamwork, and the acquisition of craft skills, social competencies, and planning and calculation experience.
