Young people in Krefeld: their voices shape the future of the city!

Young people in Krefeld: their voices shape the future of the city!

The youth survey in Krefeld has found great response. Over 1,000 young people between the ages of 14 and 27 have expressed their opinions and concerns in the survey. The survey was made known in November 2022 via various channels, including by scout clubs. On April 5, 2025, the presentation of results was held in the media library under the title "Speak Up! Your city. Your ideas", and the organizers were pleased with the high number of participants of 1,038 young people, which far exceeded expectations.

The event not only offered the opportunity to present central topics, but also space for discussions. City director Markus Schön and members of the Krefeld youth advisory board were present. Participants were able to attend various stations for participation and exchange ideas with snacks. The results of the survey will be exhibited in the foyer of the media library by April 12, where interested parties can see the results during the opening hours. An additional date for multipliers is scheduled for April 9 in the Heeder factory, in which a separate presentation of the results will take place.

results of the survey and its importance

The analysis of the results shows that the respondents were especially between 14 and 15 years old. Almost half of the participants continue to attend school. The majority of the answers come from the Krefeld districts West, Mitte and North. The most important leisure activities called by the young people include shopping opportunities (56 percent), play and sports areas (50 percent) as well as green areas and parks (42 percent). Interestingly, 80 percent of their free time prefer to spend at home, which indicates a high demand for social meeting points.

It is particularly noticeable that 71 percent of the respondents have to feel tired and exhausted. Her greatest concerns relate to wars, exams and political developments, which triggered great concern at 71, 69 and 68 percent of the participants. In addition, a lack of counseling and support offers in areas such as money and professional orientation became clear.

LARA TITT, an active participant in the survey, plans to get more involved in municipal affairs and to visit the youth council of the city of Krefeld. The results of the youth survey flow into the municipal children's and youth development plan 2026 to 2030, which underlines its influence on future political decisions. This survey is not only a mirror of the current youth opinion, but also an important basis for the city to respond to the needs and concerns of its young population.

For those who could not participate in the survey, the upcoming events are a valuable opportunity to find out more about the results and actively work on the design of their city. Even after the final event, the exhibition remains a place of exchange and discussion about the concerns of the youth in Krefeld.