Through the ‘Jugend er-leben’ funding programme, the Hessian State Government supports local authorities in implementing additional initiatives in youth work, youth social work and school social work. The City of Rodgau’s youth work programme is also benefiting from this funding and is currently running four projects that combine physical activity, health, creativity and community. As part of the ‘Virale Gerichte’ cooking project at the Dudenhofen Youth Centre, young people are exploring current food trends and the topic of nutrition. Together, they learn about ingredients and recipes, prepare dishes and then eat them together. As well as the enjoyment of cooking, the focus is on community, nutritional awareness and a mindful approach to food and its costs. At the same time, the programme promotes independence and practical everyday skills. The “Girls’ Hip-Hop / K-Pop Dance Workshop” also takes place at the youth centre, combining leisure, exercise and mental health. Through dance, young people are given the opportunity to express their feelings and explore self-awareness, body image and self-confidence. The focus is not on performance, but on the joy of movement and on creating a safe space for self-expression, socialising and sharing experiences. The programme boosts self-esteem and self-confidence and offers a low-threshold opportunity for active leisure activities. The yoga project at the Jügesheim Youth Centre focuses on health and wellbeing. This low-threshold programme centres on body awareness, relaxation and managing stress mindfully. Young people can try out various exercises, recognise their own limits and discover how movement, breathing and relaxation can contribute to stability and self-care. At the same time, it fosters a sense of community, health awareness and respectful interaction with one another. In the centre’s workshop, the focus is on collaborative, practical and creative work. Together with the young people, various craft projects are created, including a V8 engine table and a customised mirror. The young people can and are encouraged to contribute their own ideas, try out their craft skills and work together on a project. In doing so, creativity, teamwork and independence are all fostered. These activities demonstrate just how diverse and relevant to real life youth work can be – whether through cooking together, dancing, yoga or craft projects. The projects offer young people the opportunity to try new things, discover their own interests and strengths, and create something together with others. It is precisely these low-threshold activities that provide an important gateway to youth work. They enable young people, regardless of their previous experience, to try new things and gain positive experiences. Through the projects made possible by ‘Jugend er-leben’, youth work is setting an example for a diverse range of activities tailored to young people’s needs.
The ‘Jugend er-Leben’ programme builds on the ‘Catching Up After Covid’ funding programme and focuses on the current challenges and living environments of children and young people. For the years 2025 and 2026, the State of Hesse is making a total of one million euros available to the 33 youth welfare offices in Hesse, which will be passed on to the local authorities. Funding will be provided for measures in areas including health and resilience, leisure, youth participation, social skills and democratic competence. Rodgau will receive a grant of 3,576.91 euros.