Date of label : 29/10/2024
Group photo - Youth spaces in Lublin.
Summary
Lublin (PL), the first city in Poland to receive the honorary title of European Youth Capital in 2023, used the year to launch a number of initiatives, including the creation of Lublin's first youth space Hej! This was followed by the establishment of two open competitions, and the opening of seven more spaces in different districts of the city, whose coordination was entrusted to NGOs. These spaces are managed jointly with young people, who develop the rules and determine what features they should have to best enable them to spend their free time, integrate with their peers, and realise their talents. The spaces host workshops, training, meetings and other activities.
The solutions offered by the Good Practice
Youth spaces in Lublin operate according to “Standards for Youth Spaces” developed by the Hej! Youth Group. These spaces provide free access to youth (ages 10-30), without any political and religious discrimination, and inclusive of people with disabilities. Programmes are tailored to local needs and planned in consultation with youth.
Each youth space has introduced bylaws, an accessibility description, a public calendar of events, and a Youth Group that shapes its activities, which are subject to systematic evaluation. Activities, including training courses, workshops and debates, are often undertaken in partnership with NGOs. They promote among young people a positive attitude toward social engagement, volunteering, grassroots initiatives, and developing social and intercultural skills, including leadership. Creative activities, like DIY and design workshops, help young people express their artistic talents.
The network of youth spaces aligns with Lublin’s Youth Policy, which promotes the city as a youth-friendly environment.
Building on the sustainable and integrated urban approach
Recognising the need for safe and open places for youth in Lublin, the city used its status as European Youth Capital 2023 to create Hey!, with support from the local business sector and Norwegian funds. The success of this youth space gave the city the impetus to implement this model to create more such places in Lublin.
These spaces attract many young people, aged from 10 to 30, who engage in social, cultural and educational projects, and actively participate in numerous workshops or training courses. It is the youth who decide the programme of each space, providing a sense of co-responsibility for its operation.
The spaces also support Lublin’s NGOs by providing venues for networking activities. As admission is free, and no political or religious discrimination is allowed, young people, including those at risk of exclusion, have a safe place to spend their free time. This also removes social and economic barriers, enables the development of creative potential, and strengthens civic attitudes towards tolerance and mutual respect.
Based on participatory approach
All Lublin’s youth spaces operate on the basis of the “Standards of Youth Spaces”, developed by the Hey! Youth Group. Regular meetings at each space are held, during which young people help shape the programme.
The spaces are inclusive, and welcome people with disabilities and those from outside the city. In 2022, after the Russian aggression against Ukraine, many young people from Ukraine visited Hey!, taking part in remote educational activities.
Monthly meetings bring together the NGOs who run the spaces, the Social Participation Office of Lublin City Hall, and people working in the spaces, to jointly work out a strategy, develop new initiatives, and improve the functioning of the Lublin Youth Spaces network. For example, the network is being extended to provide psychological support for young people and youth workers.
What difference has it made?
Research for Lublin's European Youth Capital 2023 bid revealed the need to create free, safe places where young people could socialise, study or organise events. This led to the creation of Hej! Its success inspired the city to create another seven youth spaces in different districts of the city.
Each space is run by NGOs, with financial support from the Lublin City Hall. The spaces are co-created and managed together with young people, making them unique not just in Poland, but also in Europe.
Each month, the spaces are visited by hundreds of young people. Since it opened in October 2022, Hej! alone has attracted over 700 young people every month, who take part in various workshops, meetings, training sessions, or simply socialise there in their free time.
The youth spaces model in Lublin has become a source of inspiration in Poland and abroad. Each month, for instance, Hej! is visited by several study tours.
Why this Good Practice should be transferred to other cities
Lublin’s youth space model is highly relevant for other European cities, as it addresses multiple common challenges and aligns with EU agendas. It promotes social inclusion and civic engagement, by providing free, accessible spaces where young people, including those at risk of exclusion, can engage in educational, cultural, and social activities. This fosters a sense of community, empowerment, and active social participation.
The practice supports:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 4 (Quality education), SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities).
- The Urban Agenda for the EU.
- The EU Territorial Agenda 2030.
Though there are youth spaces in larger Polish cities such as Krakow, they are not on the same scale as in Lublin. Thanks to numerous study exchanges and networking, various entities from different parts of the country have been inspired by Lublin's youth spaces to open similar places.
European Youth Capital Lublin 2023 showed how important the voice of youth is in shaping the urban environment. By listening to the needs of young people, Lublin created a network of open spaces for them, with the support of local authorities, businesses and NGOs. This approach is feasible in almost every Polish city, and in cities across Europe.