Young people in Zagreb took part in two civic participation forums in September and October 2025, where they debated public issues, simulated decision-making processes, and explored how citizens can engage more actively in democracy.
Two Youth Civic and Political Participation Forums were held on 23 September and 1 October 2025 in Zagreb, gathering 22 participants aged between 18 and 25. The sessions were designed using the Living Lab methodology, combining experiential learning with structured reflection. Rather than traditional training formats, participants engaged directly in interactive exercises such as debates, role-playing simulations, and group problem-solving tasks based on real civic scenarios.
Key activities included the Debating Club, City Council Pitch, “Where Do You Stand” positioning exercise, and case study interventions. These formats encouraged participants to express opinions, defend arguments, and collaborate on solutions to public issues while developing critical thinking and communication skills.
A participant described the experience as unusual compared to everyday learning environments: “It’s not often that you actually get to argue your point and feel like it matters. Here, it did.” Another participant reflected on the value of open discussion: “We usually talk about politics in theory, but here it felt more real. Like we were part of the process.”
The City Council Pitch simulation was highlighted as one of the most engaging elements, placing participants in the role of presenting proposals to a decision-making body. This helped them better understand how ideas are negotiated and evaluated in public institutions. Across both forums, participants came from diverse backgrounds and regions, contributing to discussions on unequal access to civic participation, especially between urban and rural youth. Many noted that opportunities for engagement often exist but are not clearly visible or accessible. Despite these barriers, the overall atmosphere showed strong interest and willingness to engage in civic life when the format is practical and interactive.
The Zagreb forums demonstrated that young people are ready to participate in democratic processes when provided with accessible, structured, and engaging spaces. The combination of dialogue, simulation, and co-creation allowed participants not only to discuss civic issues but also to experience how participation works in practice.