Independent groups advocate for the preservation of teenage community centers
In the run-up to the mayoral election in Bergisch Gladbach, both candidates, Marcel Kreutz (SPD and Greens) and Alexander Felsch (CDU/FDP), have expressed their support for the city's youth centers, which are currently facing funding challenges.
Marcel Kreutz, the incumbent mayor's candidate, has been actively engaged with representatives from sports and politics to discuss concrete ideas for youth support, including potential financing aspects for youth centers. Kreutz emphasizes that youth centers are essential for providing equal opportunities for all young people, regardless of their parents' financial situation, and considers open children and youth work as an investment in the future of Bergisch Gladbach.
Kreutz has pledged to find solutions to cover additional costs to ensure the continuation of youth centers. In this regard, he has announced that SPD and Greens will vote in favor of the application of the free carriers in the youth welfare committee.
The free providers of open children and youth work (OKJA) are not satisfied with the city's proposed funding plan for next year, which they find inadequate. The providers describe the cost burden as no longer feasible due to wage increases in the public sector. In response, the OKJA has submitted a counter-proposal with a financing plan to maintain the youth centers and secure financing. The OKJA is voting on this counter-proposal to secure the future of the facilities beyond the end of the year.
Alexander Felsch, the opposition candidate, sees the transition year as an opportunity to fundamentally revise the funding structures together with administration and politics to develop a future-proof model. Felsch views the financing model for 2026 jointly developed by the free carriers and the youth office as a good starting point. He sees open youth work as a municipal duty that needs to be permanently and structurally secured.
The city has replaced the proposal from the youth office with a significantly reduced offer, which the OKJA finds unacceptable as it does not ensure adequate financing and ignores real cost increases. The AG OKJA has submitted a counter-proposal with a financing plan to maintain the youth centers and secure financing.
The mood at the "Ufo" youth center in Bensberg is worried about its continuation in the new year. Kreutz has always been committed to securing the funding of youth work as a council member and member of the youth welfare committee, and plans to continue this commitment as mayor.
In conclusion, both candidates have expressed their support for the city's youth centers, but the OKJA is concerned about the proposed funding plans and has submitted a counter-proposal to secure the future of the facilities. The election outcome will likely have a significant impact on the future of youth centers in Bergisch Gladbach.
