Youth Parliament

It represents the young people of Erlangen. This means that it takes up the suggestions and interests of Erlangen's young people and represents them to the city council and the city administration. Above all, of course, it is called upon to support politics and administration on youth-specific issues. Anyone can attend the at least five public meetings per year. Not only members are allowed to speak, but also guests. In addition, the Youth Parliament holds internal working sessions as required.

The youth parliament consists of 15 honorary members. It is elected by the young people of Erlangen every two years according to democratic principles. It is headed by the board of directors, consisting of the first chairperson, the second chairperson, the press officer and the treasurer.

The first chairman is Paul Fenner. The second chairman is Robin Grille.

New Chairman

At the public meeting on February 10, Paul Fenner was elected as the new first Chairman. He succeeds Helena Neubert. The new second chairperson is Robin Grille.

Participation in the U18 election

Since 2009, the Bavarian Youth Ring has been coordinating the U18 elections in Bavaria, which take place for all Bavarian elections. The last U18 election in Erlangen took place in the run-up to the Bundestag elections. A stand was set up in cooperation with the youth parliament, city youth ring and district youth ring. Votes could be cast on February 13 and 14 in the Erlangen Arcaden. You can find out more about the U18 election here

Kick-off meeting on the topic of diversity, respect and tolerance

At the invitation of the Lord Mayor, a group will meet on March 17 for the kick-off event for the development of an "Erlangen Declaration for Diversity, Respect and Tolerance". First Chairman Paul Fenner takes part on behalf of the Youth Parliament.

Colorful against racism - rally on the Schloßplatz on March 21

The Youth Parliament supports the SMV's appeal under the motto "Colorful against racism". At the rally for the International Weeks against Racism in Erlangen on March 21 at 4 p.m. on Schloßplatz, first chairman Paul Fenner, among others, will make a speech.

Lecture on April 1: Importance of the youth parliament in the city society

The Erlangen Youth Parliament is an important part of local democracy. In view of the demographic changes in society, the voices of younger people are becoming increasingly important, also in Erlangen. What are the political and social concerns of young people locally and at a national level? And how are the concerns of young people perceived and implemented by politicians? Helena Neubert and Paul Fenner, members of the Youth Parliament, will present their work in a lecture on April 1. The lecture is part of the Studium generale of the Erlangen Adult Education Center. The lecture series in the spring/summer semester is about social upheaval.

Applications from the Youth Parliament must be dealt with within three months. However, some applications require more time, so the processing time may be longer.

Application for the creation of a beach volleyball court

In December 2021, the search for potential locations for new public beach volleyball courts and the construction of a total of six new courts at suitable locations in the city was requested. In addition, an application was submitted in June 2023 to construct a beach volleyball court in Tennenlohe. In its justification, the youth parliament follows the argumentation of a former chairman.

Free provision of menstrual products

The application is dated October 2022 and is currently being implemented: the city administration started a test phase at the beginning of the school year in September 2022, which ended in December 2022. As part of a pilot project, three locations were equipped with dispensers from which tampons and pads can be taken. Once the project was completed, it was evaluated from January to March 2023. Based on this, a calculation for the permanent provision of period products in schools and public buildings will be drawn up and a proposal for possible further implementation will be developed. More information can be found here

Rationale for the proposal: Periods and the need for menstrual hygiene products are part of everyday life for menstruating women. The free provision of menstrual products is a relief for menstruating people. It also helps to destigmatize periods and can boost the self-confidence of younger students in particular. Last but not least, the provision offers relief for pupils from low-income families and reduces the additional costs that menstruating people have to pay for their periods. In Scotland, free menstrual products have been available at schools and universities since 2018, in New Zealand there are free menstrual products at schools and such projects are also running in Germany at the grammar school in Wasserburg and at the university in Merseburg. The City Pupils' Council and the Youth Parliament of the City of Wiesbaden have also launched a successful pilot project in this regard at the Dilthey School. The youth parliament believes that the city of Erlangen should follow these exemplary models.

LED lighting system for the hard court in Tennenlohe from October 2021

In October 2021, the youth parliament requested that the hard court in Tennenlohe be equipped with an LED lighting system. The committee thus supported the wish of the children and young people from the district. The responsible city council committee decided to approve the application on February 8, 2022. The lighting on the SV Tennenlohe hard pitch has been in operation since the beginning of April 2023. This was announced by the responsible department at the beginning of June.

Free provision of menstrual products from October 2022

Periods and the need for menstrual hygiene products are part of everyday life for menstruating women. The free provision of menstrual products is a relief for menstruating people. It also helps to destigmatize periods and can boost the self-confidence of younger students in particular. Last but not least, the provision offers relief for pupils from low-income families and reduces the additional costs that menstruating people have to pay for their periods. In Scotland, free menstrual products have been available at schools and universities since 2018, in New Zealand there are free menstrual products at schools and such projects are also running in Germany at the grammar school in Wasserburg and at the university in Merseburg. The City Pupils' Council and the Youth Parliament of the City of Wiesbaden have also launched a successful pilot project in this regard at the Dilthey School. The youth parliament believes that the city of Erlangen should follow these exemplary models.

Processing by the city administration: It started a test phase at the beginning of the school year in September 2022, which will end in December 2022. As part of a pilot project, three locations were equipped with dispensers from which tampons and pads can be taken. Once the project was completed, it was evaluated from January to March 2023. Based on this, a calculation for the permanent provision of period products in schools and public buildings will be drawn up and a proposal for possible further implementation will be developed. More information can be found here.

Motion from March 22, 2022: Construction of one or more calisthenics parks in the center of Erlangen

Justification: During the corona pandemic, awareness and the associated demand for outdoor sports and leisure activities has increased among many people. Calisthenics is about exercising with your own body weight, which reduces the risk of injury. A calisthenics park therefore offers a free "alternative" to fitness studios. The park at Dechsendorfer Weiher is already a location where calisthenics can be practised, but it is very far from the city center. A facility was built in 2022 on Bayernstraße, which is relatively easy to reach from the city center.

New beach volleyball court opened at Dechsendorfer Weiher

The city of Erlangen officially opened the new beach volleyball court at Dechsendorfer Weiher on July 30. Mayor Jörg Volleth and those responsible from the city's Department of Sport and Health Promotion opened the court for the first match. Paul Fenner took part in the opening on behalf of the youth parliament. The new playing field at Dechsendorfer Weiher is located on the north-eastern bank, not far from the calisthenics facility and the barbecue area. It has a total area of 22 by 14 meters and a playing area of 16 by 8 meters. The net height adjustment range is relatively large. This enables multifunctional use for different classes such as men's, mixed, women's or beach tennis. The costs amount to around 37,000 euros.

The creation of six beach volleyball courts at suitable locations was decided by the youth parliament at its meeting on December 13, 2021. In doing so, it took up and supported the request of a former chairman. Furthermore, the youth parliament also applied for the creation of a beach volleyball court in Tennenlohe in a motion dated June 21, 2023.

The meeting dates can be accessed via the Council information system:

Here: To the dates

No. It is represented in many other committees and can also get involved there. For example, in the Youth Forum Demokratie Leben, the Round Table on Inclusion, the Round Table on Volunteering and the Mobility Forum. The members also regularly attend committee meetings, such as the education and sports committees. There, the representatives can present their views and opinions if they are given the floor.

The Youth Parliament will be elected again in fall 2025.

Anyone who has had their main residence in Erlangen for at least three months at the time of the election and is between 12 and 18 years old can vote. The city of Erlangen always announces the election in good time. The next election will take place in fall 2025.

Anyone who has had their main place of residence in Erlangen for at least three months at the time of the election and is between 12 and 18 years old can vote. The next election will be held in the fall of 2025.

There are two memberships:

• Stadtjugendring Erlangen
• Umbrella organization of Bavarian youth organizations