Youth in Schmarl designs the future: 2000 euros for creative ideas!

Youth in Schmarl designs the future: 2000 euros for creative ideas!

In the Schmarl district of Rostock, everything revolves around the youth. The "Your Hood. Your Turn" Initiative launched to give young people between the ages of 12 and 27 and to actively involve them in the design of their district. This citizen participation is supported with a budget of 2000 euros that is available for the best suggestions. The idea is simple: from the youth, for the youth - so Schmarl should become a living place.

Rostock-Schmarl has around 9,000 inhabitants, the average age of which is around 44 years. Interestingly, the 15- to 25-year-olds make up 13% of the population- that is 1161 people. Particularly noteworthy is the youth quotient of around 32%, which is well above the rest of Rostock. In addition, Schmarl has one of the highest birth rates in the city with 45 births per thousand inhabitants, which points out that a lot grows here.

active participation and the resulting events

The ideas for improving the district can be up to 19. August can be submitted online. There is no lack of ideas - everything is possible from events to beautification projects to environmental initiatives. After the submission phase, the suggestions are evaluated and checked. The coordination of the best projects from 31. August to September 10th , followed by the announcement of the winning ideas on 14. September at a large block party in the district and meeting center (SBZ).

Already on 20. July between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. the next block party at Haus 12 (SBZ) takes place. Interested parties can also personally contribute their ideas here. Such events promote the exchange and show that the community can work together.

district management and social urban development

The district management Groß Klein and Schmarl is an important part of the municipal administrative structure and emerged from the “Social City” program. The focus is not only on structural measures, but above all the improvement of living conditions in the district. Public relations, network work and citizen participation are central tasks of district management. The work in Schmarl includes, among other things, the establishment of new educational offers and the organization of events such as the district flea market 2022.

The “Social City” program has existed in Germany since 1999 and has the goal of helping disadvantaged districts - which are often affected by poverty and unemployment. The focus is on mobilizing civil society potential and the participation of citizens in improving their district. In Schmarl, the active participation of the residents should also strengthen identification with the district.

An important aspect is the close cooperation between the district managers and the municipal actors. This interface ensures that the interests of the citizens are transported to the administration and that new ideas are heard. "We2", the district newspaper, regularly informs residents about developments and events in the district.

Schmarl is a lively district that moves into the future with a lot of commitment to its residents. The initiative to hear the votes of the youth and to actively involve them in the design will be observed with excitement - and maybe one or the other innovative proposal will soon become reality that will continue to bloom life in the district.