What does active citizenship look like when young people are finally given the space to speak, and to be heard? In Florence, 25 young participants, many with migrant backgrounds, came together for a Youth Civic and Political Participation Forum that transformed discussion into action, debate into collaboration, and ideas into direct dialogue with policymakers.
Organised by ICSE&Co on September 20th, the Forum created an inclusive space where young people could openly explore some of the most urgent issues shaping their lives today: citizenship, mental health, democratic participation, and representation. Through workshops, political simulations, and collaborative activities, participants engaged with the ten key competences of the European Compass of Civic and Political Participation, strengthening skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, collaborative action, and ethical communication.
What made the Forum particularly significant was the diversity of the group itself. Participants included high school and university students, young workers, and second-generation migrants from different backgrounds and experiences. Rather than becoming a challenge, this diversity became one of the event’s greatest strengths, encouraging empathy, exchange, and peer learning throughout the day.
The programme combined interactive exercises with real political dialogue. During activities such as True or False?, participants analysed news and misinformation, while Designing Solutions & Political Pitch challenged them to create realistic civic proposals and present them directly to local policymakers. By the end of the Forum, the conversation had evolved far beyond theory: young people were no longer simply discussing politics, they were actively shaping it.
One of the most memorable moments came during the final political dialogue session with local representatives Enrico Ricci and Luca Milani. Initially expected to answer questions from participants, the policymakers instead found themselves questioning the young people, intrigued by the originality and depth of their proposals. The exchange became a genuine two-way conversation, giving participants a rare sense of recognition and validation within political spaces.
Beyond civic participation, the Forum also highlighted the growing importance of mental health among young people. Participants stressed that well-being and social inclusion are essential conditions for meaningful democratic engagement, particularly for youth facing discrimination, exclusion, or uncertainty about their future.
The experience also reaffirmed the value of the Living Lab methodology, which positions young people not as passive listeners but as co-creators of solutions. Through open discussion, experiential learning, and collaborative work, participants were encouraged to see themselves as active contributors capable of influencing their communities and democratic processes.
For the organisers, the Forum demonstrated something simple yet powerful: when young people are provided with safe, inclusive, and participatory spaces, they are ready to engage, collaborate, and lead. The event not only strengthened civic competences but also created new connections between youth and institutions, connections that participants hope will continue beyond the Forum itself.