Berliners Protest Senate's Budget Cuts to Youth Services

Over 1,300 demonstrators rally against proposed 20% reductions in youth programs, education, and social services.

The Berlin Senate's proposed budget includes significant cuts to youth programs, education, and social services, sparking widespread criticism from community groups and organizations.
Protesters, including social workers, families, and youth, gathered at Anhalter Bahnhof and marched to the Abgeordnetenhaus, where budget discussions were underway.
Key services at risk include youth centers, after-school programs, and the construction of two planned schools, with some facilities already facing potential downsizing or closure.
Demonstrators highlighted the impact of the cuts on marginalized groups, including refugees, migrants, and LGBTQ+ youth, who rely on these services for support and safe spaces.
Organizers criticized the Senate for prioritizing other expenditures over social infrastructure, warning of long-term damage to Berlin's youth services and workforce stability.