Open youth work makes an important contribution to the successful upbringing of children and young people. Both municipal facilities and those run by independent organizations are a point of contact for children and young people to spend their free time in a meaningful and varied way, to have competent contacts and to meet people of the same age. According to federal (SGB VIII Child and Youth Welfare) and state legislation, local authorities are obliged to ensure that the planned youth welfare services are offered in line with demand and that sovereign tasks are carried out.

The city of Bonn provides financial resources so that the providers can fulfill their duties. This is regulated in the "Guidelines for the promotion of youth work - open youth work facilities in Bonn". These regulate the funding conditions and procedures for the granting of operating subsidies by the City of Bonn.

The Bonn City Council has now decided to amend these guidelines at its most recent meeting. In view of the difficult financial situation of many independent providers, the own contribution has been reduced. Instead of the previously required 15 percent, the providers now only have to contribute ten percent. This means that the item of 3.9 million euros already included in the 2024 budget will increase by around 1.3 million euros, which will be made available above budget.

"It is very important to me that we strengthen open youth work. Given our budget situation, this is not easy. We see the need of the independent providers and want to accommodate them. The financial burden can be reduced thanks to the lower own contribution. Our goal is to find a good middle way, even in Bonn's tight financial situation, so that the important contribution of open youth work for Bonn's children and young people is secured and can continue in the future," says Mayor Katja Dörner.

The guidelines can be viewed  here (opens in a new tab).