By implementing this project, it aims to involve youth, especially those with fewer opportunities, in the decision-making process during the creation of public spaces, from the very beginning: designing the space, to the concrete performance in the space.
In order to succeed in this, specific objectives of the project are:
- To develop competencies of youth through a non-formal approach on the topic of political literacy and urbanism, thus opening up a dialogue between decision-makers and youth on the topic of public space for youth.
- To develop the ability of critical evaluation of public spaces among youth, through non formal education and familiarization with practical examples.
- To foster active participation and active citizenship among youth coming from different socio-cultural backgrounds through their involvement in political and democratic processes.
- To understand the attitudes of local youth towards public spaces in their town.
The project aims to empower youth in participating countries, and later in a wider European context and involve them in decision-making processes related to public spaces.
By raising awareness of public space issues, fostering urban activism and other forms of political participation, it seeks to inspire young people to initiate positive changes in local communities. To manage that, the project will equip them with relevant knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage meaningfully in decision-making processes.
Furthermore, by understanding how to critically assess public spaces, youth will become advocates for more inclusive third spaces. They will be able to articulate their views and concerns effectively to decision-makers, leading to enhancements in the quality and accessibility of public spaces.
Through social media, guide, and other means, the project aims to share its results and inspire similar initiatives across Europe.
Mobility in Cuenca
Youthopia: Reimagining the Public Space for Youth held its first mobility in Cuenca, Spain, bringing together young people aged 18–30 from Zadar (Croatia), Narva (Estonia) and different parts of Spain. Over three intensive days, participants explored how public spaces can become more inclusive, participatory and youth-friendly. The programme combined theoretical inputs, field visits and hands-on activities, always leaving room for young people to use free sessions to shape their own learning paths. From the very beginning, they were invited to look at Cuenca not just as visitors, but as active observers and co-designers of its urban life.
On the first day, participants were introduced to the programme and the main tools that would guide their learning. They were divided into mixed international groups and assigned problematic public spaces in Cuenca to analyse, mapping both their positive and negative aspects. A basic introduction to urbanism and key concepts around public space provided a shared vocabulary to understand what they were seeing on the ground. Later, they visited Moralejos Park as an example of a local “third place” important for young people. Each group photographed different dimensions of the park: positive elements, negative elements and the people who use the space. This visual exercise set the tone for a critical yet hopeful reading of the city.
The second day focused on political participation and how young people can influence the way public spaces are imagined and governed. Using interactive tools such as Genially, participants explored basic political concepts and the difference between conventional and unconventional forms of participation. They then took part in the simulation game “Europe under Construction”, working in groups to design both an ideal utopian Europe and a more realistic version. Through this exercise, they discussed social systems, education, environment and mobility, and reflected on how to bridge the gap between ideals and reality. In the afternoon, they were introduced to several problematic local areas – the closed train station, the neglected Spanish Square, Alfar Pedro Mercedes facing administrative uncertainty, and the Old City’s Poets’ Garden marked by gentrification and mobility issues – which would later become spaces for prototyping solutions.
On the third day, participants presented a collective map of the spaces they had explored during the mobility and in their free time. Together with a local decision-maker, they engaged in an open dialogue about the challenges and potentials of Cuenca’s public spaces, grounding their impressions in local context and policy realities. Each group then took responsibility for one problematic space and developed a prototype intervention, supported by the facilitators. The mobility closed with a structured evaluation, including the “5x5x5” method, where participants shared five things they had learned in terms of formal content, five things learned from each other, and five aspects they would like to improve in future mobilities.
Overall, the Cuenca mobility highlighted how abandoned or underused public spaces can become starting points for youth participation and co-creation, rather than symbols of decline. Participants deepened their understanding of urban planning, political processes and the social life of public spaces, while also experiencing intercultural learning, teamwork and creative problem-solving. The insights gathered – from better time management and stronger cultural introductions to the power of visual tools and playful simulations – will inform the next Youthopia encounters in Narva and Zadar. The experience in Cuenca not only generated concrete ideas for local interventions, but also helped shape methodologies that can be adapted and applied in different European cities, bringing us one step closer to more inclusive and youth-centred public spaces.
Espacio de encuentro entre miradas donde repensar el futuro de nuestras tierras y territorios.
Un ecosistema innovador de encuentro y pensamiento para un tiempo que requiere propuestas y colaboración.
