JUZ Friedrich Dürr

The concept of self-government

selbstverwaltungThe “Friedrich Dürr” Self-Managed Youth Center (JUZ) in Mannheim’s Neckarstadt district serves as a meeting place for young people and young adults aged 14 and over who wish to realize their ideas and interests independently within a democratically self-managed framework.

This means that the starting point is the young people themselves, who shape the space and activities of the JUZ according to their abilities, needs, and interests. The JUZ emerged as part of the youth center movement of the mid-1970s and, for more than 39 years, has provided a space for participation, diversity, communication, and creativity based on anti-fascist, anti-racist, and anti-sexist values.

The JUZ is operated by the Association for a Self-Managed Youth Center (Trägerverein für ein Jugendzentrum in Selbstverwaltung e.V.), whose central concept is democratic self-management.

According to the legal framework set out in Section 11 of the German Social Code Book VIII (SGB VIII / Child and Youth Welfare Act), youth work programs should “build on the interests of young people and be co-determined and co-designed by them, empower them to exercise self-determination, and encourage and guide them toward social responsibility and civic engagement.”

The concept of self-management provides young people with a direct opportunity to actively shape their living environment and social surroundings in ways that are appropriate to their age and needs. They test their abilities, put their own ideas into practice, discover limits, learn from one another, engage in debate, and learn both to give and receive criticism.

A defining element of self-management is the voluntary commitment of young people. Once a week, all active participants meet in a General Assembly (Vollversammlung) to negotiate rules, discuss shared interests and conflicts, and make binding decisions by consensus.

In addition to organizing and running a wide range of open activities, this commitment also includes all other tasks necessary for the operation of the JUZ, from cleaning duties to administrative work. On average, this amounts to about 20 hours of unpaid work per day.

Objectives

The JUZ aims to promote:

  • Participation and democratic co-determination
  • Cultural activities and cultural work
  • Non-commercial, self-directed leisure activities
  • Space for implementing creative ideas and personal interests
  • Social engagement and the development of social skills
  • Interest in the critical examination of social and political issues
  • Involvement in political advocacy and representation of interests
  • Non-formal education through workshops, courses, and other programs
  • A meeting place and event venue (including for external initiatives and groups)