District Youth Council of Lower Bavaria

Who we are

The District Youth Council of Lower Bavaria (BezJR) is the association of youth organizations and youth councils in Lower Bavaria. It serves as a professional and service center for youth work in the region. As part of the Bavarian Youth Council, it operates as a public law entity (KdöR). The local level of the youth council consists of the twelve city and district youth councils in Lower Bavaria.

In the BezJR, youth organizations that are represented in at least five city or district youth councils work together. The member organizations, along with the city and district youth councils, send delegates to
the BezJR general assembly, which is its highest decision-making body. The general assembly elects:

• The chairperson.
• The deputy chairperson.
• Five additional board members. The board is elected for a term of two years.

The BezJR board acts as a decision-making body and occasionally organizes its own projects. The BezJR office supports the board’s work (e.g., implementing decisions, preparing documents, and providing support at different levels) and manages daily operations. It is usually the first point of contact for youth work in Lower Bavaria. A key part of the office is the media advisory service, established in cooperation with the JFF
(Institute for Media Education). It promotes active media education in youth work and youth training and organizes relevant media education projects.

Our mission

The BezJR represents the interests of all young people in Lower Bavaria through youth work and youth policy (cf. §2 Statutes of the Bavarian Youth Council).

Our focus areas

1. Media work
   The media advisory service offers workshops and seminars for young people up to 26 years old, as well as for multipliers and trainers. It also provides equipment for additional projects.
2. Service center
   The BezJR office advises youth organizations, city and district youth councils, and other full-time and volunteer staff (e.g., open youth work, municipal youth work) in Lower Bavaria.
3. Annual focus
   The BezJR selects current topics in youth work and youth policy each year. It presents these in creative formats and provides resources for further discussion, such as events or publications.

Our services

• We provide training for volunteers and full-time staff through conferences, seminars, and media education projects.
• We offer professional advice to support youth work in Lower Bavaria.
• As a specialist center, we monitor changes in youth work, society, and politics and contribute to the development of youth work through events and new concepts.
• We connect different areas of youth work in Lower Bavaria through workshops and networking.
• Upon request, we arrange speakers and assist with planning events and seminars.
• We process funding applications based on district guidelines and submit proposals for funding to the district.
• We represent the interests of children and young people in politics and society through regular discussions with political leaders and organizations involved in youth work.