THE ORIGINS – HOW IT ALL STARTED

WERKSTADT JUNGES WIEN – VIENNA’S BIGGEST PARTICIPATION PROJECT FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE

Over 360,000 children and young people up to 19 years of age currently live in Vienna, making it a colourful, thriving and diverse city. The young residents are experts on their own needs and interests. Their entire future lies ahead of them. This is why the City of Vienna took the future-oriented decision to launch a large-scale participation project called “Werkstadt Junges Wien“, designed to give the young Viennese a stronger voice and a more active role in society. The feedback received has given decision-makers a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the needs and ideas of children and young people in Vienna, so the results can be taken into account in future policies.

GETTING THERE – STEPS ON THE WAY

From February to April 2019, over 1,300 “Werkstadt Junges Wien” workshops were held throughout Vienna, allowing the young “co-workers” to take an active part in planning the city of the future. The workshop venues were places where children and young people spend their time: kindergartens, schools and after-school care facilities, youth centres, parks, associations, and many more. The participants were invited to focus on questions and issues regarding their life and future in Vienna, and were given various opportunities to voice their views.

The goal

“Werkstadt Junges Wien” was designed to give thousands of children and young people an active say in shaping their own future. The main questions were: What do they like or dislike about Vienna? Where would they suggest changes? How do they envisage their future? Over 22,000 young Viennese helped implement the goal in a dialogue with education experts, youth and social workers, as well as voluntary project participants.

The outcome

The large-scale project was meant to show all children and young people in Vienna that their voices are heard and their opinion is taken into account. The results of the “Werkstadt Junges Wien” project formed the basis for the Vienna Children and Youth Strategy, which was drawn up and adopted in spring 2020 based on the feedback and ideas provided by the young residents. The Strategy is meant to ensure children and young People continue to enjoy their life in Vienna and can realise their full potential.