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.

Congratulations to the new Chairwoman of the Seniors' Advisory Council

On November 11, Alexandra Wunderlich was elected as the new Chairwoman of the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council. First Chairwoman Helena Neubert congratulated her on behalf of the Youth Parliament: "On behalf of the Youth Parliament, I would like to warmly congratulate you on your election as Chairwoman of the Senior Citizens' Advisory Council. We are very much looking forward to a good working relationship and to developing projects together that will enrich all generations. It is great that we have already worked together successfully in the past and we are looking forward to many more joint activities," Helena wrote to her "new colleague".

Motion on education and school renovations - no majority for motion by the Youth Parliament and the Foreigners' and Integration Advisory Council

In the summer, the Foreigners' and Integration Advisory Council requested that the resolution of February 2022 on the implementation of school renovation projects be reviewed. The city council was asked to prioritize elementary school in need of renovation in districts with a high social index and a high proportion of residents with migration biographies. The Lord Mayor was also asked to advocate for financial support from large companies in the region in the education sector. The motion also called on the city to seek the inclusion of other relevant Erlangen elementary school in the Startchancen program in addition to the Mönau elementary school.

At its public meeting on October 14, the youth parliament discussed and debated the issue in detail. Result: Two of the three topics were supported by the Youth Parliament and the following resolution was passed: The Youth Parliament supports the concerns of the Foreigners and Integration Advisory Board to review the school refurbishment project and to give greater priority to elementary school in need of refurbishment in districts with a high social index and a high proportion of residents* with migration biographies. The call for the city to make efforts to include other relevant Erlangen elementary school in the Startchancen program in addition to Mönau elementary school is also supported. However, the request that the Lord Mayor should campaign for financial support from large companies in the region in the education sector is not supported. The youth parliament has submitted a corresponding request to the city.

The motions were discussed at the Education Committee meeting on October 17. However, there was no majority in favor of the joint motion. The members agreed with the city administration's explanations by 8:3 votes. Among other things, it stated that since 2007, structural refurbishment measures have been carried out as part of the school refurbishment program depending on the most urgent needs. Prioritization is based on various structural factors, such as building fabric, building services, fire protection, energy consumption, accessibility and outdoor facilities. However, educational requirements and school developments are also included in the assessment, e.g. requirements for all-day care, different school profiles and educational focuses, etc. Schools with a high proportion of migrants should take the resulting needs into account in their educational concepts; these in turn form part of the evaluation matrix for school refurbishment. In this respect, this aspect is already included in the assessment.

With regard to support from regional companies in the education sector, the administration explained that Erlangen companies have already played an important role in supporting education projects for many years. They have not only provided financial support for individual school projects, but have also facilitated valuable and sustainable cooperation through partnerships with schools. It is also conceivable that companies will become involved in this way in the future. Depending on the individual case, targeted support can be provided by the Lord Mayor in order to promote and further expand these partnerships. However, it cannot be assumed that major investments in public educational institutions will be taken on by companies. Such extensive financial expenditure is not envisaged as a task for the private sector.

Regarding the Startchancen program: The school administration office contacted the Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs back in spring 2024 to discuss the inclusion of further Erlangen schools in the Startchancen program. The selection of which school will be included in the program will be based on the social index, the criteria for which the Ministry of Education has agreed with the federal-state group of state secretaries. Whether the Hermann-Hedenus-Mittelschule or other Erlangen schools can be accepted will be decided by the Ministry in the course of the examinations. The city of Erlangen therefore has no influence on the inclusion of further Erlangen schools in the Startchancen program.

Paul Fenner new second chairman

At its public meeting on October 14, the youth parliament elected Paul Fenner as its new second chairman. The election was necessary because Kai Chan resigned his mandate due to his studies. The succession process is still ongoing.

Trip to Jena on the Day of German Unity

Around 200 Erlangen residents visited the twin city of Jena with Mayor Jörg Volleth on German Unity Day on October 3. Following a long tradition, the two cities take turns in celebrating the holiday. A short report by Youth Parliament member Hanna Dzitkowska: On October 3, the Day of German Unity, five members of the Youth Parliament had the opportunity to visit Erlangen's twin city Jena. Despite the bad weather, the atmosphere was great! The day began with an opening ceremony in the Volkshaus, where we were warmly welcomed by the mayors of both cities. After the opening, we went on a tour of the city. Even though it rained a bit, we explored the city and discovered many interesting places. A highlight of the day was the pub quiz, which we took part in with a lot of fun and success. To round off the day, we gathered on the market square for a farewell sing-along with a brass band. After an eventful day, we finally set off on our journey home to Erlangen.

Participation in the city's volunteer reception

Voluntary work is of fundamental importance for the maintenance of town twinning and other international relations. The city of Erlangen would like to pay special tribute to the many civic activities and initiatives of twinning associations, friendship groups and other organizations as well as many individuals. To this end, the municipality has invited people to a reception on September 24. Paul Fenner will be attending on behalf of the Youth Parliament.

Chairwoman at Christopher Street Day reception

Over the past five years, Christopher Street Day (CSD) has become a firm tradition in Erlangen, celebrating the city's openness and diversity. Every year, people come together to set a strong example for diversity and acceptance and to stand up together for the rights and concerns of the queer community. The city of Erlangen honored this commitment with a reception on September 11. First Chairwoman Helena Neubert attended the ceremony on behalf of the Youth Parliament.

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.