Meeting Discussing Citizenship Rights
Augsburg's Citizens' Engagement Forum: A Hub for Sustainable Change
The Citizens' Engagement Forum (BE Forum) in Augsburg, Germany, is a vital platform that encourages local citizens to participate actively in sustainability and climate-related decision-making processes. Established to foster dialogue, gather citizen input, and build capacity for implementing sustainable energy transitions and environmental resilience in the Augsburg region, the forum aims to strengthen community participation, enhance awareness of climate action, and support the integration of local perspectives into policy and project development.
At the helm of the BE Forum are diverse individuals with expertise in various fields. Claudia Nickl, the disability commissioner of Augsburg and chairwoman of the disability council, brings her years of experience in disability advocacy to the table. Alexander Baur, responsible for public relations, reorganization, and strategic development, has a diverse background in organizing sports events. Thomas A. Weber, a business consultant and coach for medium-sized companies, lends his expertise in commercial and business topics, while Jakob Bihlmayer manages city partnerships and international contacts.
The forum's meetings, which take place four times a year, cover a wide range of topics. The November session of 2024 was dedicated to "youth work," where various projects and initiatives related to youth engagement were presented, including the Youth Forum, Medienscouts, Change-In, and "Project Friedensschule" at Agnes-Bernauer-Realschule. The conclusion was that early socialization has the most lasting effect, and schools play a crucial role in this, of which they are not always aware.
In addition to regular meetings, the BE Forum will also hold networking events. The first networking event, themed "Youth Engagement," is scheduled for October 1, 2025, at the Kapellen-Mittelschule in Oberhausen.
The forum is part of broader efforts within the Augsburg model region for organizational and community-focused approaches to fluctuating energy supply and sustainability challenges. It often intersects with research projects and initiatives focusing on practical and socio-technical solutions for climate resilience at a local level, reflecting the importance of civic participation in achieving these goals.
The BE Forum is represented on the city of Augsburg's participation platform, where you can find useful links and event information. The platform, Machmit.unser website.de, was launched in September 2024 and will host the Forum BE (and possibly other advisory boards) in the future, with internal and external areas.
Melanie Haisch, particularly responsible for the area of citizens' engagement and social neighborhood development, heads the Citizens' Engagement Forum. Theme experts and working groups can be invited to the meetings of the Citizens' Engagement Forum.
Other key members include Maria Fey, who coordinates the 11 MehrGenerationenTreffpunkte (Multigenerational Meeting Points) in the city area and has experience in project and event organization and grant management. Mechtild Enzinger has many years of experience in training and supporting volunteers in leadership functions in committees and associations. Imme Heiligendorff has been active as a theater pedagogue and theater mediator for many years, while Ralf Baumgartl presents the framework conditions and deadlines for successful event planning.
Lastly, Alexander Smienk, chairman of Freiwilligen-Zentrum Augsburg (FZA), advocates for the concerns of volunteering in all its aspects. He sees the Forum BE as a think tank and lobby for voluntary engagement to gain the deserved recognition, especially from politics. Kristin Pongratz promotes and highlights voluntary and civic engagement in the city society and administration. Isabella Reiter, district manager for Bayerisches Rotes Kreuz, is responsible for networking with Arge f/o and handles public relations for the Red Cross in Augsburg-Stadt, coordinating over 1000 volunteers in her district. She has a background in business economics and is particularly interested in financing and controlling in volunteering.
The Citizens' Engagement Forum meetings in 2025 will take place on July 16th at the City Library, October 1st at the Kapellen-Mittelschule, and January 14th at the Office of the Senior Citizens' Council, Small Wollmarkt Hall. The forum continues to serve as a beacon of community engagement and sustainable change in Augsburg.
- The Citizens' Engagement Forum, acting as a beacon for community engagement and sustainable change, encourages personal growth and career development through networking events like the one themed "Youth Engagement" for skills training and job search opportunities.
- Joining Melanie Haisch, who heads the Citizens' Engagement Forum, are various members who offer expertise in diverse fields, such as education and self-development with Maria Fey's experience in project and event organization, learning from Mechtild Enzinger's volunteer training, and job-search assistance from Alexander Smienk, chairman of Freiwilligen-Zentrum Augsburg.
- Engaging with the Citizens' Engagement Forum, where workshops and meetings take place four times a year, will aid in fostering civic participation, enhancing awareness of climate action, and supporting the integration of local perspectives into policy and project development – all essential aspects for sustainable change.
