Rastatt’s Bold Plan to Get Young Voices Into Local Politics

A German city is rewriting the rules of civic engagement. Can workshops and youth-led ideas transform how young people see—and shape—their future?

, and Administrator

2025 November 26 . 3:28 AM

1 min read

This picture is clicked outside the city. At the bottom of the picture, we see people standing on... — This picture is clicked outside the city. At the bottom of the picture, we see people standing on the road. In the middle of the picture, the man in grey and white T-shirt is holding a water bottle in his hand. Beside him, the woman in the blue jacket is holding a baby trolley in her hands. Behind him, we see stalls. People are standing under the white tent. There are tents in white and red color. We see banners in red, white and yellow color with some text written on it. In the background, we see buildings, trees and street light.

Rastatt’s Bold Plan to Get Young Voices Into Local Politics

The city of Rastatt has launched a new initiative to bring more young people into local news. Called Shaping the Future of Municipal Council, the project targets residents aged 16 to 27. Its goal is to simplify involvement in government and encourage long-term political engagement among younger generations.

Three workshops formed the core of the project, bringing together municipal councillors, youth delegates, and city administration staff. The sessions focused on removing obstacles that discourage young people from taking part in local decision-making. Participants explored ways to make politics clearer, more accessible, and more appealing to younger residents.

The project marks a step toward greater youth representation in Rastatt’s government. By addressing barriers to participation, the city hopes to foster a new generation of politically active residents. Further updates on the outcomes are expected as the initiative progresses.