Potsdam launches new action plan for a child-friendly future!

Potsdam launches new action plan for a child-friendly future!

On July 2, 2025, the city of Potsdam adopted a new action plan that is committed to being child and youth-friendly. Under the title “Child- and youth-friendly municipality Potsdam 2025-2028”, the representation of young people’s interests is to be strengthened. The representative for children and youth interests, Stefanie Buhr, emphasizes the importance of real participation of children and young people so that their perspectives are taken into account in all areas of their lives.

The action plan includes 24 projects, which are divided into four central areas of action. An important step that goes hand in hand with the plan is the systematic anchoring of child and youth friendliness in the city's mission statement and in the administration's strategic goals. This means that the realities of young people's lives should be recorded regularly in surveys. The results of these surveys form the basis for decisions in youth welfare planning and urban development.

A seal of child-friendliness

What is particularly noteworthy is that Potsdam has had the “Child-Friendly Municipality” seal since 2017. This is run by the Child-Friendly Communities Association. V., supported by the German Children's Fund and UNICEF Germany. In order to receive the seal, it is necessary to develop an action plan with binding measures - with the active participation of young people. This shows how important the voice of youth is in bringing about real change.

Potsdam's initiative is not alone in creating a comprehensive picture. A look at other child-friendly communities, such as the city of Regensburg, shows how young people there have actively addressed deficiencies in local public transport and infrastructure. Demands such as the introduction of pedestrian-friendly zones and night bus operations have been successfully implemented and benefit all citizens. What works in Regensburg could also serve as a model for similar initiatives in Potsdam.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in focus

A crucial principle that plays a central role in both Potsdam's action plan and the initiatives of other cities is the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This states, among other things, that contracting states are obliged to promote measures for the physical and psychological recovery of children who have to suffer from difficult conditions. It is of utmost importance that children are able to grow up in a nurturing environment where their dignity and self-respect are respected.

The Convention also addresses the rights of children in criminal law. The focus is on dignified treatment and fair procedures, including for children who are accused. This shows a clear need for action, which should also be part of the political agenda at the local level.

With its ambitious goals, Potsdam is sending a signal that children and young people are not only part of society, but should also be heard. The approaches taken here illustrate how important it is to give young people a voice. Standing up for their concerns not only contributes to social cohesion, but is also a step into the future, in which active participation by all age groups is very important.

A total of 24 steps are planned that are intended to improve the living conditions for young people in Potsdam in the long term. The new action plan is a call to actively shape the future - through the voices of the young generation.