FACK e.V.

FACK e.V. is a place where ideas turn into action, where creativity meets responsibility, and where young people shape the future of their communities. We are a youth organisation based in Altenburg and we activate and empower young people (ages 7–22) to become self-determined, courageous, and innovative shapers of their communities. Our mission is to challenge youth disengagement, rural decline, and feelings of powerlessness by creating youth-led opportunities for self-efficacy and civic participation. We believe that every young person has the potential to be a changemaker when they are given the right space, tools, and trust. Our open youth center, the FACKtory, includes a makerspace, event spaces, and a gaming room. It is a creative hub where young people can experiment, build, create, and connect. We support young people in organizing workshops, festivals, cultural events, and local initiatives that are designed and led by youth themselves. Our participatory budgeting project, R:EVOLUTION, enables youth to design, fund, and implement their own ideas, giving them real decision-making power in shaping their communities. We are also present in small towns and villages through local hubs where young changemakers engage with local youth and organise creative and civic activities. We build strong connections between young people and their surroundings, working closely with more than 30 local actors including companies, associations, and individuals to create a supportive ecosystem that enables young people and communities to thrive. We also cooperate with international partners, organize youth exchanges, and run training courses that bring young people from different countries together to learn, share, and act.