Dortmund is the largest city in the Ruhr metropolitan region and combines urban life with numerous parks, forests, and other green spaces. The city also sees itself as a diverse and dynamic place to live that is constantly evolving.
Relieving the burden on families and providing children and teens with education, participation, and a voice: that is the goal of “Mini Dortmund.” The vacation program combines full-day care with democratic learning and community experiences. In their own “children’s city,” participants make political decisions, take on responsibility, and shape their shared lives.
The jury praised the combination of reliable vacation care, democracy education, and participation. At “Mini Dortmund,” children’s participation is at the heart of the program: The children elect political representatives, develop rules, and shape community life in their city. This free program breaks down barriers to access and provides children—regardless of their family’s financial situation—with opportunities for education, recreation, and participation. At the same time, the full-day care program eases the burden on parents and supports the work-life balance. For this participatory approach, Dortmund was awarded the State Prize for Family-Friendly Municipalities 2026 in the category “Individual Family Policy Project.”
Mini Dortmund: A City by Children, for Children
At Mini Dortmund, 80 children and teens ages 8 to 14 spend five days designing their own city. They elect a mayor, take on political roles, deliberate on proposals, and develop their own projects and initiatives in various workshops. The children and teens are guided and supported throughout the process by a team of educational professionals and volunteers. A special highlight is the Mini Dortmund City Council meeting in the council chamber of Dortmund City Hall. At a press conference, the children introduce their city and present their projects.
This free program is open to children from across the entire city. Registration options at municipal youth centers and in-person consultations help break down organizational barriers. The children and teens also play an active role in further developing the program: they provide feedback, come up with suggestions for improvement, and develop ideas for the next edition of Mini Dortmund.
The cities of Bochum, Detmold, Düsseldorf, and Krefeld, as well as the Ennepe-Ruhr district, were also recognized either for their comprehensive family policy plans or for an innovative individual project.
