Have a say before everything is decided.

Many participation formats come too late, are too complicated or reach only people who are already close to politics. Oldenburg has a basis with Gemeinsam Oldenburg, Stadtverbesserer and formal participation rights. We want to turn that into a real decision culture. ## What should change - Projects are explained early: problem, options, costs, consequences and room for decision. - Participation happens online, in person and in plain language. - Results are evaluated publicly and remain findable. - Administration and politics explain which proposals were adopted and which were not. - Citizens' initiatives, resident surveys and council-initiated votes are actively used when decisions shape the city long-term. - A citizens' budget lets districts propose and prioritise smaller projects themselves. ## The stadium as a democracy test For the stadium project, Oldenburg needs a clear, fair and legally robust public vote. If a binding citizens' referendum cannot be combined directly with an election, the city must create a reliable alternative: clear wording, clear numbers, clear consequences and a political self-commitment by the council. Democracy is not a spectator room. It needs good information, fair procedures and people who take responsibility.