Hosted by the Municipality of Alba Iulia, the meeting brought together representatives from the partner cities of Lublin (Poland), Forlì (Italy), Odense (Denmark), Torres Vedras (Portugal), Plasencia (Spain), and Alba Iulia (Romania) and Sofia (Bulgaria, online). The event was facilitated by the network’s Lead Expert and served as an opportunity to exchange experiences, review progress, and plan the next stages of implementation.
Learning from Local Youth Participation Practices
The two-day programme focused on exploring how youth spaces can support active citizenship, social inclusion, and meaningful youth participation at the local level.
Participants were introduced to Alba Iulia’s approach to youth work and had the opportunity to visit local youth spaces and meet stakeholders involved in the implementation of the Romanian Youth Capital 2026 programme. These visits provided valuable insights into how youth-centred initiatives can be developed through cooperation between local authorities, civil society organisations, and young people themselves.
A central theme of the meeting was the role of young people in shaping and managing youth spaces. During a dedicated workshop on youth participation, representatives of Lublin’s “Simply a Cool Place” Youth Space shared their experiences in involving young people in decision-making processes and everyday management of youth facilities. The session highlighted practical lessons from the Youth Spaces network, recognised as an URBACT Good Practice.
Reviewing Progress and Planning Next Steps
In addition to peer-learning activities, partners assessed the progress made so far in implementing their local transfer plans. Discussions focused on the development of local youth spaces, the functioning of URBACT Local Groups (ULGs), capacity-building activities, and upcoming actions planned in each partner city.
The meeting also provided a platform for partners to exchange challenges, identify opportunities for adaptation, and strengthen cooperation as they move from planning towards implementation.
Transferring a Proven Model for Youth-Friendly Cities
The YOUth Space Link Transfer Network is funded under the URBACT IV Programme and aims to transfer and adapt Lublin’s Youth Spaces model to the local realities of partner cities across Europe. By combining transnational learning with local experimentation, the network supports cities in creating sustainable, accessible, and youth-led spaces that foster participation, creativity, and community engagement.
As the Lead Partner, Lublin continues to support partner cities throughout the transfer process, helping to ensure that the benefits of the Youth Spaces model can be successfully adapted and embedded in different urban contexts.
The meeting in Alba Iulia marked another important step in this collaborative journey, reinforcing the network’s shared commitment to empowering young people and strengthening their role in shaping the future of European cities.
