The program started in 2023 with a detailed analysis of the current situation. As a first step, over 2,000 children and young people in Bonn were surveyed. The survey covered topics such as how comfortable they feel in Bonn, what they would like to see more of and how they would like to be more involved. The results report can be found here. In addition, an internal administrative review was carried out to determine which child and youth-friendly structures and processes already exist.
Based on these results, the "Child-friendly municipalities" association and a commission of experts developed recommendations tailored to Bonn.
As a first step, these recommendations were reviewed together with young people and assessed by them according to their importance and relevance. With the help of this assessment, over 30 experts from the administration and urban society developed a total of 20 measures, which now form the action plan for more child- and youth-friendly administrative action. The action plan was adopted in the November 2024 council meeting and demonstrates the municipality's commitment to increasing its child and youth friendliness. The City of Bonn will be awarded the "Child-friendly municipality" seal for this on March 6, 2025.
Foreword by Mayor Katja Dörner
Dear children and young people, dear people of Bonn,
A child-friendly city not only takes children and young people into account - it listens to them and focuses on their needs. In Bonn, more than 2,000 children and young people were asked about their wishes. Strengthening the rights of children and young people is a central concern that we want to implement in all areas of urban life - be it through genuine co-determination, safe and attractive public spaces or an administration that takes the perspectives of young people into account.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has been applicable law in Germany for many years and local authorities have a central role and special responsibility in its local implementation. The many committed employees of municipal and independent institutions face up to this responsibility every day and put children's rights into practice in their day-to-day work. I would like to express my sincere thanks for this.
With the "Child-friendly municipality" action plan, the City of Bonn is consistently implementing children's rights. The 20 measures, which were developed in a participatory process across departments and beyond the administration, create new opportunities for participation, strengthen the public infrastructure for young people and ensure that children's rights are anchored as a cross-cutting issue in our administration. A solid data basis also helps to make tailor-made decisions that sustainably improve the lives of children and young people in Bonn.
Child-friendliness is a joint task: in the administration, in schools, Kita and youth facilities, in urban planning and in the minds of all those who shape our city. This action plan is the result of joint work - by committed professionals, the urban community and, above all, the children and young people themselves. They deserve our greatest thanks! Because only with their voice can Bonn become a city in which young people are really heard and taken seriously.
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this action plan and warmly invite them to continue on this path with us. Because a child-friendly city is a city that is worth living in for everyone.
Let's work together to make children's rights a reality in Bonn.
Katja Dörner
Mayor of Bonn
The "Child-friendly community" program
347,529 inhabitants in Bonn
56,415 children and young people under the age of 18 = 16.9 percent of Bonn's population
The Child-Friendly Communities initiative is based on international UNICEF standards. The aim of the program is to make the structures and processes in local government more child- and youth-friendly and to implement children's rights locally.
By participating in the process, the City of Bonn undertakes to implement the applicable law of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child at local level and to align its administrative actions with it.
The path to becoming a child-friendly municipality
Stocktaking: survey of children and young people
| 1,127 children | 1,020 adolescents |
| between the ages of 9 and 12 | between 13 and 18 years |
The creation of the action plan
Based on the results of the survey, the Child-Friendly Communities Association and experts formulated recommendations tailored to Bonn.
In a workshop, 27 young people assessed these recommendations and rated them according to their importance and relevance. Using this assessment as a basis, 35 key players from the city administration and the supporting organizations evaluated the recommendations from a professional perspective in a further workshop. The 20 most important measures were selected and specified.
Following an internal administrative coordination process, these 20 specific measures were used to create the action plan that will guide action over the next three years. Both the city council and the Association of Child-Friendly Communities gave a positive vote, meaning that the "Child-Friendly Community" seal could be awarded in March 2025.
Focal points and key objectives
The "Child-Friendly Community" program has four focal points that are derived from the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
- Priority of the best interests of the child
Key objective: The needs of children and young people are known in all decisions affecting them and are given priority where possible. - Child-friendly framework conditions
Key objective: The administration of the City of Bonn has structures in place to ensure that the interests of children and young people are known and taken into account. - Participation of children and young people
Key objective: Children and young people are involved in decisions affecting them in a target group-oriented manner. - Right to information and monitoring
Key objective: Children and young people can exercise their right to information. The situation of children and young people in Bonn is known on the basis of comprehensive data and forms the basis for decisions.
1. priority of the best interests of the child
Key objective: The needs of children and young people are known in all decisions affecting them and, where possible, are given priority.
1.1 Raising awareness among administrative staff
Objective:
City administration employees are aware of children's rights and how they relate to their own area of work.
Description:
In order to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, it is important to be aware of its importance. Training and further education on children's rights and related topics are carried out with the employees of the city administration. This creates awareness of the relevance of children's rights for their own area of work.
Days such as "Youth meets Administration" or the "Open Administration Day" will be held to bring children and young people together with the city administration and vice versa.
Lead:
Social Justice Program Office
Start and duration:
2025 - permanent establishment
Resources:
no additional
1.2 Revitalization of public spaces for young people
Goal:
Young people in Bonn should feel welcome in public spaces. Over the next three years, the administration will transform a total of three areas into attractive places for young people to spend time.
Description:
Many young people would like more public spaces where they can hang out and meet friends. As part of a children's and youth participation program, the city administration will survey the wishes of young people and, where possible, create new recreational areas for young people with attractive leisure facilities.
Lead responsibility:
Sports and pool department
Start and duration:
2025 to 2027
Resources:
200,000 euros
1.3 Cleanliness of play and recreation areas
Objective:
The places where children and young people spend time are (kept) cleaner and thus create a higher quality of stay and appreciation for everyone.
Description:
The existing playground sponsorships are expanded. Cleanup campaigns are communicated and advertised more widely. Where necessary, additional garbage cans are provided and designed together with children and young people.
Lead:
Social Justice Program Office
Start and duration:
2025 - permanent
Resources:
None additional
1.4 More tailored health promotion
Objective:
The city administration develops needs-based health promotion services for children and young people.
Description:
The existing health data of children and young people is compiled and used in such a way that acute needs can be identified and offers can be developed across departments in a target group-oriented manner.
Lead responsibility:
Health department
Start and duration:
2025 - permanent
Resources:
No additional
1.5 Barrier check in leisure, sports and cultural facilities
Objective:
All leisure, sports and cultural facilities are accessible to all children and young people.
Description:
The existing label "bei uns ist Inklusion lebendig" ("Inclusion is alive with us") from the Forum Inklusion lebendig machen ("Making inclusion alive") will be extended to other children's and youth facilities for leisure, sport and culture. The facilities will be advised and supported on their way to becoming more inclusive. The expert group will be expanded to include young people with and without disabilities.
Lead management:
abenteuer lernen e.V.
Start and duration:
2025 - at least two years
Resources:
80,000 euros
1.6 Rights to play, recreation and health for refugee children in shared accommodation
Objective:
Refugee children and young people in shared accommodation have the opportunity to take part in leisure activities in their accommodation or in the social space.
Description:
Social mediators enable local children and young people to take part in leisure and sports activities in the social space. If necessary, they develop specific offers for the local children and young people.
Lead responsibility:
Office for Social Affairs and Housing
Start and duration:
2025 - at least two years
Resources:
Approx. 135,000 euros
1.7 Promoting independent active mobility for children and young people on their way to school
Goal:
Children and young people can get to school independently and safely.
Description:
The city administration always takes the needs of children and young people into account in its mobility strategy. All schools are gradually developing their own school travel plans. Measures such as Car Friday, school streets, mobility training and much more will be expanded in the coming years.
Lead responsibility:
Urban planning office
Start and duration:
Ongoing
Resources:
None additional
1.8 Adapting the efficiency and reliability of public transport to the needs of pupils
Objective:
The reliability and attractiveness of public transport services are increased.
Description:
The city administration uses an external study to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of existing school transport services and adapts them to the needs of schoolchildren as far as possible. Children and young people are fully involved in the redrafting of the local transport plan.
Lead responsibility:
Urban planning office
Start and duration:
2025 to 2027
Resources:
None additional
1.9 Safety Walks
Goal:
Children and young people feel safe and comfortable in Bonn.
Description:
Together with an independent organization, the city administration conducts safety walks with children and young people to identify sources of danger and unsafe places. The relevant specialist departments develop measures to make these places or routes safer for children and young people.
Lead responsibility:
Office for Children, Youth and Families together with the Social Justice Program Office
Start and duration:
2026 to 2027
Resources:
None additional
2. child-friendly framework conditions
Key objective: In the administration of the City of Bonn, there are structures that ensure that the interests of children and young people are known and taken into account.
2.1 Examining the interests of children
Goal:
The interests of children and young people are considered and taken into account in all decisions affecting them.
Description:
The city administration identifies the decisions that affect the interests of children and young people. It then develops standardized processes in the relevant specialist departments so that the interests of children and young people are adequately taken into account in decision-making processes.
Lead management:
Social Justice Program Office
Start and duration:
2025 to 2027, then ongoing
Resources:
None additional
2.2 Upgrading the position of children and youth representative
Objective:
The Children and Youth Representative knows the current and various concerns of Bonn's children and young people and represents them in the administration.
Description:
The position of Children and Youth Representative serves to represent the interests of young people in Bonn and is therefore in constant contact with them.
The reorganization and restructuring of the position of Children and Youth Representative will enhance this role and thus strengthen its relevance and impact.
Lead responsibility:
Office for Children, Youth and Family and Social Justice Program Office
Start and duration:
2025
Resources:
None additional
2.3 Contact person for queer young people
Objective:
Queer young people receive support, guidance and protection as they develop their gender identity and sexual orientation.
Description:
A new specialist position at an independent organization develops counselling and training services for queer young people, their parents and guardians as well as professionals. It represents the interests of queer young people and also acts as an interface with the city administration.
Lead responsibility:
Office for Children, Youth and Family
Start and duration:
2025 - at least two years
Resources:
100,000 euros
2.4 Concept for the establishment of a children and youth office
Goal:
The needs are known and the decision for or against a children's and youth office has been made.
Description:
As part of child and youth participation, the needs for a children's and youth office are identified. On this basis, a corresponding concept is developed together with independent organizations.
Lead management:
Program Office for Social Justice
Start and duration:
2026
Resources:
None additional
3. participation of children and young people
Key objective: Children and young people are involved in decisions affecting them in a target group-oriented manner.
3.1 Regular surveys of children and young people
Objective:
The city administration knows and takes into account the interests and needs of children and young people when making decisions.
Description:
A comprehensive survey of children and young people is carried out every two to three years. The topics of the specialist departments are bundled and the results are fed back to them accordingly. Children and young people are also informed about the results and further processes via bonn-macht-mit.de/jugend (opens in a new tab).
Lead management:
Citizen participation department
Start and duration:
2025 - ongoing
Resources:
20,000 euros and 0.5 full-time position
3.2 Information on participation and political decisions
Objective:
Children and young people have low-threshold and low-barrier access to urban information relevant to them.
Description:
To ensure that children and young people can take part in all participation processes, the relevant information is prepared in an age-appropriate way and communicated clearly. The platform bonn-macht-mit.de/jugend (opens in a new tab) will be advertised to young people in the city of Bonn and used even more to provide information about participation opportunities. The results of participation processes are published on the website.
Lead management:
Citizen participation department
Start and duration:
2025 - ongoing
Resources:
5,000 euros
3.3 Strengthening the children and youth advisory board
Goal:
Children and young people on the advisory board experience further participation and self-efficacy.
Description:
A right to speak and submit motions directly for the Advisory Board for Child and Youth Participation in all committees and district councils is introduced where possible. As a result, the members of the advisory board will be even more closely involved in municipal decision-making processes and have the opportunity to put forward their perspectives and demands directly.
Lead responsibility:
Citizen Participation Unit
Start and duration:
2025
Resources:
None additional
3.4 Participation of children and young people in transport and urban land-use planning
Objective:
Children and young people are involved in transport and urban development planning in an age-appropriate manner.
Description:
The living environment of children and young people is significantly influenced by where they live. Their early and age-appropriate participation in the planning process is therefore very important. Under the leadership of the Citizen Participation Unit, those involved are developing guidelines on how children and young people can be given an age-appropriate opportunity to participate in both formal and informal transport planning processes and urban land-use planning.
Lead responsibility:
Citizen Participation Unit together with Department III
Start and duration:
Ongoing
Resources:
No additional
4. right to information and monitoring
Key objective: Children and young people can exercise their right to information. The situation of children and young people in Bonn is known on the basis of extensive data and forms the basis for decisions.
4.1 Public relations and communication concept for informing children and young people in Bonn
Goal:
Children and young people in Bonn are informed about urban issues in Bonn that are relevant to them.
Description:
The city administration develops an overall concept that ensures that children and young people are informed about all relevant urban and political decisions that affect them in a low-threshold and target group-oriented manner.
Lead responsibility:
Social Justice Program Office together with the Office for Press, Protocol and Public Relations
Start and duration:
2025 to 2026, implementation ongoing
Resources:
25,000 euros
4.2 Further development of the youth employment agency
Objective:
Young people in Bonn have access to comprehensive information and needs-based support services in the transition from school to work/study/training.
Description:
The Youth Employment Agency (JuBA) is being further developed as a low-threshold, central contact and information point for all young people in the transition from school to training/career/study. The plan is to bundle the services of youth career assistance (Office for Children, Youth and Family), the U25 Job Center (ARGE) and career counseling (Employment Agency).
Lead management:
Office for Children, Youth and Family
Start and duration:
2025 - at least two years
Resources:
150,000 euros
4.3 Integrated social reporting
Objective:
A common data basis creates the possibility for politicians and city administrators to make needs-based decisions.
Description:
Up to now, the city administration has mainly collected data for specific departments. Cross-departmental data collection and evaluations and analyses based on this data are important in order to create a holistic picture of the situation of children and young people in Bonn and to derive appropriate plans and decisions from this. Regular reporting creates transparency and the possibility of impact analyses and evaluations.
Lead responsibility:
Social Justice Program Office
Start and duration:
2025 - at least two years, implementation ongoing
Resources:
0.5 full-time position
Conclusion and outlook
This action plan with a total of 20 measures is the result of a multi-stage process with the extensive participation of children, young people and adult stakeholders inside and outside the city administration.
The city administration has three years from 2025 to implement the measures. During this time, the program coordinator will carry out regular monitoring and make the process transparent. Around 18 months after the seal is awarded, there will be a public interim report and a mid-term meeting to evaluate the implementation status.
After approximately two years, a future workshop will be held to review the current action plan and develop a new one.
Throughout the entire process, the voices of children and young people are always included and taken into account. After all, they are the target group of this action plan and the entire process.
- Contact
- Location
- Postal address
- Accessibility
Contact
Location
Ms. Felicitas Müller
Room Etage 3
Loggia am Stadthaus (Hausnummer 2)
Thomas-Mann-Straße 2
53111 Bonn
Postal address
Bundesstadt Bonn
53103 Bonn
Accessibility
Disabled access
Elevator in the house