The participation, acceptance, and self-realization of girls*, boys*, and queer young people—both with and without disabilities—remain unequal. Gender-reflective work in youth welfare must critically examine gender-specific roles and expectations. To assist professionals in this task, guidelines are provided. However, many still adhere to a binary understanding of gender, focusing solely on girls and boys. To address current needs, the Hamburg Ministry of Social Affairs initiated a participatory process in 2023 to update and develop more inclusive guidelines.
A central editorial group, comprising 17 permanent and 29 temporary experts from various sectors of youth welfare, is collaborating in multiple meetings to develop these guidelines. As a best practice, it has already been demonstrated that the more diverse the group and the higher the level of professional involvement, the greater the likelihood that the guidelines will be accepted and implemented.

City Profile: Hamburg