DDR FDJ 5 year plan badge:1956

[Ulsterman]

I got this while perusing a stall last month with my "rich" cousin. It's a nice little early piece-exceptionally well made and I think awarded to FDJ members who helped significantly with the goals of the 5 year plan, which I suppose means voluntary work harvesting turnips or something over the summer break.

Anyone know how and why these were given out?

[Guest Rick Research]

Here are the various types of this badge from Bartel/Karpinski "Auszeichnungen der Deutschen Demokratischen Republik" (1979):

Your type was only awarded between 1953 and 1959, when the earlier "Jungaktivist" badge was reincarnated.

There is so much detail about the constant chnages in badge designs that no actual information on what they were FOR is included!