From 9-11 April, representatives from six partner organizations across the Balkans (Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, North Macedonia, Greece, and Croatia) came together in Skopje for the mid-term meeting of the Youth Placemaking Balkans project, funded by the Erasmus+ Youth programme. The event marked an important milestone, offering a space for sharing progress, exchanging ideas, and strengthening regional collaboration around the topic of youth engagement in public spaces.

Earlier in the project, all partner organizations conducted in-depth research on the needs, habits, and preferences of young people in relation to public spaces in their local contexts. Through literature review, good practices, and focus groups, the research gathered valuable insights into how youth perceive and use public areas, what barriers they face, and what types of spaces they desire. This participatory process not only informed the development of the online course but also laid the foundation for the upcoming youth-led placemaking interventions, ensuring they are grounded in the real experiences and aspirations of local young people.

A key highlight of the meeting was the collective work on the Youth Placemaking for Active Recreation online course, a joint resource designed to empower young people to engage with and transform public spaces in their communities. The course aims to build capacity among youth and local actors to foster more inclusive, dynamic, and youth-friendly environments across the region.

Each partner organization also presented their upcoming youth-led placemaking interventions to be carried out by the end of the year. These creative and community-centered projects include revitalizing city squares, transforming neglected school surroundings, promoting physical activity through fitness installations, and reimagining underused park areas. All initiatives will be designed byyouth and for youth, showcasing the power of young people as active agents in shaping their urban landscapes.

The visit also included an inspiring exchange with the local government. At the invitation of the Municipality of Gjorče Petrov, partners met with the Head of the Youth Work Department, who shared the municipality’s youth engagement strategies and highlighted ongoing initiatives supporting local youth participation.

The mid-term meeting in Skopje reinforced the spirit of regional cooperation and underscored the importance of youth-driven placemaking as a tool for civic engagement, creativity, and active recreation. The journey continues, with impactful interventions taking shape across the Balkans — led by young changemakers ready to make their mark.

Initiated by BG Be Active and backed by dedicated partner organisations from five Balkan countries, Youth Placemaking Balkans is a youth movement designed to improve youth entrepreneurship and active citizenship in the democratic processes by providing them with the relevant civic skills through creating inclusive and engaging spaces for and by young people. 

Reach out to us today to discover how you can contribute to the project, participate in our activities, or get answers to any questions you may have. Together, we are “Empowering Youth, Transforming Spaces: Uniting for Better Balkans.”