Discussion on User Participation and Community Membership
The Citizens' Engagement Forum (CEF) in Augsburg, Germany, is a platform dedicated to promoting active civic participation and strengthening democratic culture within the community. The forum serves as a space for citizens to voice opinions, debate local issues, and contribute ideas for societal development.
Meetings take place four times a year, with the next scheduled for July 16, 2025, at the City Library's S-Forum, followed by October 1, 2025, at the Kapellen-Mittelschule, and January 14, 2026, at the Office of the Senior Citizens' Council's Small Wollmarkt Hall. Previous meetings have included presentations on successful event planning and the importance of social dialogue forums.
The CEF comprises representatives from three sectors: engagement, politics/administration, and business. Notable members include Thomas A. Weber, a business consultant and coach for medium-sized companies, and Alexander Smienk, the chairman of the Freiwilligen-Zentrum Augsburg, who advocates for the concerns of volunteer work.
Other members include Imme Heiligendorff, responsible for the conception and implementation of projects and workshops at the State Theater Augsburg, and Melanie Haisch, who focuses on civic engagement and social neighborhood development. Claudia Nickl, the city's disabilities commissioner, and Kristin Pongratz, head of the office for civic engagement, also contribute to the forum.
The CEF is also expanding its reach, now represented on the city of Augsburg's participation platform machmit.unser. In addition, the forum plans to focus on creating an exchange platform, strengthening awareness of engagement, especially among young people, and strengthening knowledge transfer in engagement.
A notable event planned by the CEF is a networking event themed "Youth Engagement" on October 1, 2025, at the Kapellen-Mittelschule. The forum is also planning to add new meeting dates in 2025, including January 29 and April 9, both at the City Library's S-Forum.
The Bürgertreff Hochzoll e.V. hosted the forum's first meeting on September 18, 2024. Other members include Jakob Bihlmayer, who manages city partnerships and international contacts, and Alexander Baur, responsible for public relations, reorganization, and strategy development. Mechtild Enzinger, with years of experience in training and supporting volunteers in leadership functions, is also a member.
The CEF's immersive and interactive approach to public discourse, such as historically immersive experiences, aims to deepen engagement beyond traditional lectures, adding emotional and intellectual dimensions to community dialogue. This approach empowers individuals, including senior citizens, to express their views and participate meaningfully in the community dialogue, enhancing overall civic participation.
By fostering active, inclusive, and reflective civic participation, the CEF aims to promote a stronger democratic culture in Augsburg.
The Citizens' Engagement Forum (CEF) in Augsburg also intends to focus on establishing an exchange platform for home-and-garden enthusiasts, lifestyle enthusiasts, and education-and-self-development advocates. For instance, a promising event in the pipeline is a networking event centered around "Youth Engagement" in home-and-garden and lifestyle aspects, scheduled for October 1, 2025, at the Kapellen-Mittelschule. Furthermore, the CEF aims to augment its expertise in these areas by providing workshops and discussions on topics like successful event planning, social dialogue, and neighborhood development, encouraging a comprehensive approach to engagement in the community.
