Completing our series on the outcomes of focus groups across DUST regions, we turn to Germany. Like other regions, participants expressed how common barriers to engagement in the transition include a lack of trust, especially in authorities, due to unreliability and feelings of being unheard, as well as issues related to accessibility. But fear not - there are solutions! Continue reading to discover the remedies suggested by youth in both the German lignite regions of Rhineland and Lusatia to address these widespread challenges.
Gender norms and values
Women’s participation is often curtailed by entrenched gender stereotypes and insufficient representation in decision-making spaces. The dominance of men in forums can leave women feeling undervalued, perpetuating disengagement. However, community-driven initiatives prioritising inclusivity - such as community gardens that actively involve women in leadership roles - demonstrate the potential for empowerment when gender equality is actively supported.
Relevance and building trust
How inclusive and relevant policies are can make or break people’s willingness to participate in political processes. Many participants expressed frustration with policies that miss the mark on addressing local concerns, leaving them feeling disconnected and unmotivated. On top of that, poorly executed outreach efforts only deepen this divide, making people feel excluded from decisions that affect their lives.
Clear and honest communication from political institutions is fundamental to rebuilding trust. Participants called for detailed updates on policy measures, transparent funding allocations, and mechanisms for consistent feedback. For instance, participants called for leaders to actively listen and adapt policies based on public input, stressing that genuine accountability and responsiveness are what truly inspire people to engage. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram, were highlighted as effective tools to engage and build relationships younger audiences by offering them relevant information.
Education and awareness also emerged as key areas for fostering greater trust and therefore civic engagement, particularly around sustainability. Participants emphasised the need for more educational programmes that raise awareness of environmental issues, especially targeted at younger generations. One participant captured the sentiment by saying, “Man muss bewusster leben – weniger Klamotten shoppen” ("One must live more consciously – shop for fewer clothes"). These programmes could help cultivate a deeper understanding of how individual choices impact the environment and inspire communities to take collective action toward a more sustainable future.
Improving accessibility
To ensure engagement is more accessible, focus group participants suggested:
Convenient locations and schedules: holding meetings at easily accessible locations and times.
Childcare support: providing childcare services to enable women and parents to attend meetings.
Simplified bureaucracy: streamlining processes to make participation easier.
Multilingual resources: offering materials in multiple languages to accommodate diverse communities.
Leveraging community influence
Community-driven initiatives such as local clean-up drives and community gardens inspire broader participation. Participants noted that seeing peers involved in such activities motivates others to join, highlighting the power of social influence. Visible support from respected community leaders further encourages engagement. Strengthening networks through local organisations and schools can amplify these efforts.
Continue following DUST on social media and in our forum to discover more solutions to increase citizen participation in the transition!