Dietzenbach youth and politicians debate town's future ahead of election
A pre-election roundtable in Dietzenbach brought young people and political candidates together on February 28, 2026. Organised by the Youth Council, the event focused on what 'living together' means in the town, with discussions covering everything from transport to migration. The gathering was part of a wider EU-funded project aimed at boosting youth participation in local politics.
The discussion took place in a circle-style format, designed to encourage open and equal conversation. More than 20 young residents, including members of the Youth Council, took part, with trained youth facilitators leading the session. Candidates from at least six parties—SPD, Greens, Left Party, CDU, FDP, and others—attended, reflecting the town's upcoming municipal election.
Topics ranged from public transport, particularly the reliability of S-Bahn services, to migration, intergenerational relationships, and the need for cleaner public spaces. Participants also stressed the importance of youth-led gathering spots and praised the Youth Council as a model of diversity and inclusion. The event was organised under the *JUGENDi – A Youth-Friendly Dietzenbach* project, an Erasmus+ initiative running until May 2027. Its goal is to create inclusive spaces where young people can engage in political discussions and shape local decisions. Both young attendees and politicians welcomed the informal setting, calling for more direct exchanges in the future.
The roundtable highlighted the value of face-to-face dialogue between young people and policymakers. All parties represented in Dietzenbach's election sent delegates, showing broad support for youth engagement. The project will continue to promote political education and participation formats until at least 2027.
