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 "The youth must be taken more seriously" - Transformation researcher Franziska Stölzel in conversation

If you look a little at the structural development and the (academic) discussions surrounding the coal phase-out in Lusatia, you can't get past it. Franziska Stölzel is one of the young women who are committed to Lusatia, both professionally and privately. She comes from Weißwasser - and lives there again.

Franziska studied Management of Social Change at the HSZG, worked for the University of Graz (AT) in a research project for European coal regions and traveled the world. She is now the contact person for national media, especially when it comes to the social challenges facing our region.

For example, Franziska analyzes for Die Zeit why young people, especially well-educated women, leave the region and do not plan to return. But she also explains structural change to students and researches and teaches internationally from and about coal regions. Good reasons to ask her for an interview for our plusmimus.com blog!

Franziska, why are there so few like you - or to put it another way: which framework conditions have to change according to your state of research so that young people want to shape their future in Lusatia?

Lusatia and other East German regions have one of the highest average ages in Europe. There are fewer young people who can get involved. In addition, there are long distances and little mobility, which is not particularly attractive for young people. (Editor's note: we are also working on improvements here!) However, I see the greatest challenge as the fact that young people, their visionary ideas and innovative ideas are not taken seriously in our aging region. This often robs them of their enthusiasm for their own creativity and big thinking from an early age. That's a pity - we all have to reflect on ourselves.

You will work and research with international universities and students on the topic of transformation during or after the phase-out of coal. Is there something we do (particularly) well?

The work of civil society actors is a role model for many partners in other countries. People have often created great things out of their own visions and with just a few hands. Sometimes it took decades, sometimes just months. I appreciate that in places like the Socio-Cultural Center in Weißwasser , the Imperial Post Office in Raddusch or our women's network F as in Kraft .

Is there anything we could learn or adopt from other coal phase-out regions?

Of course we can learn a lot from other coal players. The often amazing thing for me is that we often talk about coal workers, but not with them. We know the worries and needs, but there are hardly any supported programs in which we, from trainees to seniors, get into conversation, i.e. with the people who are directly affected by the exit.

Do you have a specific example of how to do this better?

Yes - in Colombia, for example, the organizations approach the employees directly and organize mutual exchanges. In my last lecture, I explained our course in Germany to Colombian coal workers and their question was: "How often do you talk to the people who work in opencast mines or power plants?" It became clear to me again and I had to say it clearly : Not at all! That was very uncomfortable for me and I knew that I had to change that.

You are involved in the “F wie Kraft” network . How can women get involved there, how can one imagine this "lobby work for women"?

"F wie Kraft" has become an open and now quite large network. I am very sure that every woman who is interested in tuning in to the online regulars' table will also be there a second time. We all appreciate that framework of allies, that spirit when we're on the same thing. That connects and strengthens us.

Do we really need a “gender budget” in structural change, as Dr. Julia Gabler , deputy professor in the Management of Social Change course at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, demands?

The lack of women in eastern Germany is greater than in the north pole regions of Europe. We hardly have women in managerial/leadership positions. We have a high emigration rate, especially of young, qualified women. We live in a system in which women take care of family care alongside their job and we (young) women definitely do not make the decisions for Lusatia. The disadvantages are so serious that there should have been a gender budget long ago. We all benefit from strong and independent women. You can see that very clearly in those who have already achieved a lot and are achieving every day. However, a gender budget is not just for women or girls. Well-trained men also leave Lusatia.

What are your personal wishes and goals - and what do you have for Lausitz?

My biggest wish would be for the coal phase-out and structural change to be made transparent We currently have little insight into the actual bodies that decide on enormous sums of tax money. I also expect more funding for civil society and diversity in transition. Not only do we have to roll out an energy transition, we also have to fight the rise of populism and radical right-wing thinking. It is now in our hands to shape our future. We have the responsibility to hand over the baton to future generations for a new phase of transformation. I hope this one is more positive than the one my generation got.

Thank you very much for the interview. We look forward to reading more about your research and your perspective on current developments soon.

Do you, dear readers, have ideas for the development of our homeland? Requests, suggestions, project ideas or criticism?

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If you want to be inspired live by Franziska Stölzel and want to learn about a great project (which is also supported by the ENO), you can experience her live in the Görlitz synagogue on Thursday, September 8th. There, from 6:30 p.m., Franziska and other representatives will present the concept of the LAB Building Research Center for Lusatia.

Photo: Tine Jurtz