Democracy Project: Blaues Haus Hochfeld
The aim of the project
Children and young people should not only learn about democracy in theory, but also experience it in practice. The program focuses on five key objectives:
- Understanding democratic processes (elections, referendums, participatory decision-making)
- Strengthening social skills such as teamwork and communication
- Promoting responsibility and self-confidence
- Creating a safe space for active participation
- Promoting integration within a multicultural group
How the project works
The project operates using genuine democratic processes:
- Every month, a team of moderators (one girl and one boy) is democratically elected.
- The moderators collect ideas from the group and organize activities or purchases.
- Decisions are discussed together and made by vote.
- At the end of each phase, there are feedback sessions to reflect on what worked well and what could be improved.
Activities and Experiences
In addition to discussions and planning, the group also engages in joint activities, such as:
- Excursions (e.g., ice skating, LaserTag, Movie Park)
- Team experiences such as escape rooms or quest games
- Visits to political sites such as the state parliament in Düsseldorf
- Self-organized events such as parties or scavenger hunts
These activities combine learning about democracy with community, fun, and responsibility.
Results and Impact
About 40 different children and teenagers participated during the year. The project had clear educational benefits:
- greater self-confidence and sense of responsibility
- improved teamwork and communication
- greater understanding of democratic decision-making
- greater integration within the multicultural group
- For many children, this is the first time they experience having their opinions heard and being able to actively shape their environment.
Challenges
There are some practical challenges, such as:
- occasional low voter turnout
- limited space on field trips
- the need for greater involvement of older teenagers.
Future of the project
Plans for the coming years include:
- Meetings with local politicians
- Visits to city hall or courthouses
- Workshops on political education
- Older youth serving as mentors for younger participants
Significance of the project
The project gives young people—especially those from challenging backgrounds—a voice and real responsibility. They gain practical experience with values such as respect, tolerance, participation, and solidarity, and grow into active members of society.
Support from the freddy fischer foundation makes it possible to continue this project over the long term and to firmly establish democratic education at the youth center.
We would like to thank the local team, especially Nikita and Finn, for their excellent project management.
Review 2024
In 2024, the democracy project at the Blaues Haus Hochfeld offered many exciting activities for children and teenagers.
The monthly elections for moderators were particularly popular, as they allowed participants to take on responsibility and experience democratic processes firsthand.
Highlights included two field trips: In May, the group visited an escape room, where teamwork and problem-solving were key, and in September, the children immersed themselves in the world of virtual reality.
A special surprise was the purchase of a PlayStation 5, which primarily benefited those who were unable to participate in the field trips.
In total, about 40 children and teenagers actively participated in the project over the course of the year.
The feedback was very positive—many expressed a desire for more exciting field trips and creative opportunities to participate in decision-making.
Impact and Learning Experiences
The democracy project at the Blue House not only taught the children and young people democratic values but also strengthened important social and personal skills. They learned teamwork, responsibility, problem-solving, and communication through joint activities such as moderator elections, field trips, and group decision-making. The project had a particularly positive impact on social integration and group dynamics, as it helped break down prejudices and strengthen cohesion.
Despite minor challenges, such as limited space on field trips, the project was a success.
Plans for the future include more collaborations with other organizations, visits from politicians, and greater involvement of older youth. In the long term, the project will be expanded by having former facilitators serve as mentors and by strengthening political education. It remains an important part of the youth center, as it empowers participants to have a say and encourages them to actively engage in society.
