Co-creating  Signs  of  Change

As first iteration of the co-creative development of a path of futures in the city of Schmalkalden, we organized a workshop with teenagers and young adults. We created signs that lifted youth relevant challenges such as the disappearance of local forest due to invasive species, water, the lack of accessible public transport, mental healthcare and cultural gathering space. The aim was to further future literacy as well as an openness to the thoughts and ideas of others, including different climate, environmental, economic and socio-political attitudes and to give impulses to discover new scope for action in the present context. By helping teenagers and young adults raise their voices in public space, the intent is to strengthen the participants’ sense of self-efficacy as well as trust in democratic processes and to encourage civic engagement in local development.