Vegesack: Youth advisory board is fighting for holiday programs for children!

Vegesack: Youth advisory board is fighting for holiday programs for children!

In the Vegesack district, the youth council actively dealt with applications for holiday programs at the last meeting. Overall, the committee has almost 15,000 euros available for 2023, which are to be invested in the promotion of offers for children and adolescents. As the Weser-Kurier , the last financial support was expected will represent the youth council.

Two important applications were up for debate: The German Red Cross (DRK) applied for 1080 euros, while Workers' Welfare (AWO) required an impressive 2000 euros. This high sum was not only approved; Anton Vormschlag, an active member of the youth advisory board, expressed concerns and suggested that the AWO also only grant 1080 euros. However, this proposal received unanimous approval, so that both institutions receive the necessary financial support.

structural changes in the youth advisory board

A significant change is imminent for the youth council, because it will be dissolved and in future led as a youth forum. As a result, the members will be dependent on the permits of the local advisory board in the future. The regulations in SGB VIII to promote and finance facilities in child and youth welfare have grown significantly since the adoption of the child and youth welfare law and ensure that financial resources also make in future times be managed.

Despite these challenges, the youth forum remains able to discuss applications and to bring them to a legitimate process. However, there are concerns that state that the forum will work without defined rules in terms of the verification of the members. These ambiguities could affect confidence in the decisions of the new forum.

Funding opportunities for holiday free time

In a broader context, non-profit organizations such as the Arbeiterwohlfahrt for an extensive participation of all children and young people in holiday leisure and educational measures. According to § 11 SGB VIII, youth work should promote young people and ensure that participation in holiday programs does not depend on the financial situation of the families. In order to minimize the effort, it is often recommended to establish direct contact with the responsible positions before booking in order to clarify possible grants.

In addition, there is the possibility of applying for holiday programs via the educational package of up to 180 euros a year, which can be important support for families with low incomes. Various federal states also offer individual grants, which means that many offers can be financially secured.

Although the changes in the youth council raise many questions, the hope that a better application structure and the promotion of projects in Vegesack can be expected to have a positive development in the field of child and youth work. The next steps of the youth forum will show how well these new structures work and whether they can do justice to the needs of young people in Vegesack.