FILM IT. SPEAK IT. CHANGE IT.
About This Project
FILM IT. SPEAK IT. CHANGE IT.
Young Perspectives for Saxony
Duration of the project: January 2026 – December 2027 (24 months)
Project summary
Through the „FILM IT. SPEAK IT. CHANGE IT.“ project, Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e. V.. (JKPeV) strengthens the political participation of young people in Saxony and creates new spaces for democratic involvement.
Young people today are faced with numerous social challenges: Discrimination, social inequality, political polarisation, and the feeling that their concerns are not being heard.
At the same time, they are directly affected by political decisions while having their own ideas and perspectives on how their own future should be shaped.
This is precisely where the project comes in. Through youth surveys, creative media workshops, political debates and youth conferences as well as the expansion of the Freiberg Youth Parliament young people are encouraged to make their own experiences, ideas and demands heard and to play an active role in democratic decision-making processes.
Through filmmaking, podcasting and digital engagement methods, the participants will develop their own contributions concerning social topics, explore the issue of discrimination and learn to advocate for their concerns in public.
In addition, a digital Empowerment Hub will be created, providing knowledge, methods and project results in the long term.
The project contributes to establishing a sustainable culture of participation in Saxony, strengthening democratic skills, social cohesion and the visibility of young voices.
Target groups
The project is primarily aimed at…
- Young people from ages 13 to 25 Jahren from Saxony
- Teenagers and young adults from rural areas of Central Saxony
- Young people who face barriers to participation and being involved in decisions
- Young people who have experienced discrimination and exclusion
Indirectly the project reaches as well:
- Teachers and other educational professionals
- Youth and social workers
- associations , initiatives and civil society organisations
- Local authorities and political decision makers
- Interested members of the general public.
Activities of the Project FILM IT. SPEAK IT. CHANGE IT.
- Youth surveys & requirement analysis
To begin with, the perspectives, needs and challenges faced by young people in Saxony will be systematically mapped out. The findings will form the basis for the project’s subsequent activities and will enable the participation opportunities to be tailored to their needs.
- Creative media workshops
Across a total of 35 workshops, participants will gain practical skills in the fields of film production, podcasting, storytelling and digital media. Using their creativity, they will explore social issues and develop their own media content.
- Film and podcast production
The young people produce short documentaries and podcasts in which they share their perspectives, experiences and demands on current social issues. The resulting media pieces are presented to the public and published online.
- Political Talks
Through ten moderated dialogues, young people engage directly with political decision-makers, representatives of the public administration and civil society stakeholders. These dialogues promote mutual understanding and strengthen democratic participation.
- Expansion of the Freiberg Youth Parliament
The existing Children and Young People’s Parliament will be further developed and expanded to include six additional seats for young adults aged between 18 and 25. This will create new opportunities for long-term political participation at local level.
- Youth conferences
Two big youth conferences will bring young people from different areas of Saxony together. They provide a space for networking, sharing experiences, discussion and exchanging and developing ideas for a future tailored to young people’s needs.
- Digital Empowerment Hub
The digital platform compiles project results, materials, tutorials and opportunities for participation, provides long-term access to resources, facilitates networking and supports the sustainable use of developed methods.
Project objectives
FILM IT. SPEAK IT. CHANGE IT. pursues six key objectives:
- Strengthening democratic participation: Young people are empowered to play an active role in political and social processes.
- Making young people’s perspectives visible: The concerns, experiences and ideas of young people are brought to public attention and incorporated into decision-making processes.
- Promoting creative forms of expression: Film, podcasting and digital media serve as tools for social participation and empowerment.
- Facilitating dialogue and understanding: Encounters between young people, politicians and civil society foster mutual understanding and trust.
- Expanding sustainable participation structures: Existing opportunities for young people to have a say are strengthened and embedded for the long term.
- Securing knowledge and methods for the long term: Digital resources and open-access materials enable sustainable use beyond the project’s duration.
Project results
- Conducting 100 youth surveyed and needs assessments
- Implementing 35 creative media workshops
- Producing 25 short documentaries
- Producing 25 Podcasts
- Organising 10 Political Talks between young people and decision-makers
- Expansion of the Freiberg Youth Parliament to include six additional seats for young adults.
- Development of a digital empowerment hub with freely accessible resources
- Organising of two state-wide youth conferences
- Publication of the annual report ‘Young Voices in Saxony’
- Production of handbooks, tutorials and educational materials under Creative Commons licences
- Strengthening of cooperation between schools, local authorities, youth organisations and civil society actors
- Increased public awareness of young people’s perspectives and the long-term establishment of participatory structures in Saxony
