When girls shape the future - empowerment weekend at Düsseldorf Youth Hostel

Copyrights: DKJS/Susanne Kurz

For one weekend, Düsseldorf Youth Hostel was all about technology, creativity and community: at the big closing event of the „We empower girls“ programme of the German Children and Youth Foundation (DKJS) over 130 girls from all over Germany came together to present their self-developed projects - and to encourage each other.

A programme that empowers girls - in technology, crafts and attitude

„We empower girls“ is aimed at girls and young women between the ages of 10 and 18 who want to make a difference - in their school, their city or for the world of tomorrow. The programme focuses on STEM subjects (mathematics, information technology, natural sciences and technology) and craft projects. But the programme imparts more than just knowledge: It offers space for girls to develop their own ideas, encourages them to develop their personalities and creates safe spaces away from role expectations.

Valerie Blenk, who was responsible for social media support during the event, describes it as follows: „The project creates a safe space in which girls can not only discover their strengths, but also encourage and empower each other. They experience that their perspectives count, that their ideas are important and that they are not alone with their experiences. This mixture of empowerment, dialogue at eye level and genuine support is what makes the project so valuable and unique.“

App ideas with impact - clear the stage for young visions

For three days, the city centre Düsseldorf Youth Hostel was transformed into a creative meeting place for crafting, pitching and celebrating. Girls from various types of schools travelled from Hamburg to Marburg to share their ideas and visions. Some had developed their own app ideas over the course of the school year in the „Technovation Girls Germany“ programme module. The final weekend was all about presenting the results and other projects, learning from each other - and celebrating each other.

Workshops focussed on how to present an idea convincingly, among other things. This was followed by the „Market of Opportunities“ - each group presented their work at their own stand and received curious questions, exciting discussions and lots of applause. The emotional highlight of the weekend: the project presentations on stage, moderated by Franziska Hilfenhaus, freelance reporter, author and trainer.

Girls who grow - and make each other big

The impact of such programmes is often revealed in quiet moments. Valerie Blenk remembers a scene that epitomises the weekend: „One participant was heartbroken - and immediately other girls were there to comfort her. This solidarity was palpable everywhere.“

Anna Brückner, who accompanied the teams during the season and offered a presentation workshop at the final event, also observed: „Not everything always runs smoothly, but what is much more important is how the girls deal with it and find new solutions. Although it's the final event, you can actually feel the burning desire for the next project to start.“ „Empowerment“ is not just a buzzword here - it's real change.

Space for creativity: Düsseldorf Youth Hostel as a feel-good place

The fact that the participants felt completely at ease was not only due to the open atmosphere, but also to the space available on site. Bright, spacious rooms offered plenty of room for workshops, socialising and leisure activities. Whether making bracelets, gymnastics, dancing or a table tennis tournament - the girls turned the youth hostel into their own personal retreat and place of adventure. The lift also proved to be a practical helper for the organisation team when it came to moving the extensive event material.

Well cared for and warmly looked after - with snacks, flexibility and genuine interest

The weekend also left nothing to be desired in culinary terms. In addition to the meals, a small bar with drinks and snacks provided a little refreshment in between - much to the delight of the participants and the team. Particularly thoughtful: even those who arrived later were still able to enjoy the food provided.

What made the weekend even more special was the warmth and openness of the hostel team. „I was very pleased when several people from the youth hostel team came to our registration stand on the very first day and asked questions because the topic was also close to their hearts,“ says Anna Brückner, adding: „Preparing such a large event takes a lot of time and planning, and we always felt that we were in very good hands here.“

Conclusion with goosebumps - and an outlook full of hope

When the Japan Day fireworks lit up over Düsseldorf on Saturday evening, it was the symbolic highlight of a weekend full of energy, ideas and community. „We couldn't have planned it any better,“ says Anna Brückner confidently.

Whether the programme will continue in 2026 still depends on further funding. But the impact is already clear: many girls are continuing to work on their projects, sharing their knowledge at school - or are already dreaming of their next big project. „We need programmes like this to encourage young women to get involved and raise their voices,“ says Valerie. „Because they have an incredible amount of strength.“

A place for the future - and for girls who want to make a difference

Düsseldorf Youth Hostel has shown how empowerment is also possible in terms of space: modern, open, welcoming - with room for dialogue, diversity and new perspectives.

📍More about the programme:
🌐 www.wir-staerken-maedchen.de
📱 Instagram: @wirstaerkenmaedchen

📍Discover Düsseldorf Youth Hostel
🌐 www.jugendherberge.de/duesseldorf