Nearly 40 young people took part in two civic participation forums organized by Fundacja Kuźnia Talentów, where they worked alongside local officials to develop solutions to community issues and discuss the role of youth in public life.
Held in both a major city and a small municipality in southeastern Poland, the forums combined workshops, debates, and direct dialogue with decision-makers. Participants identified local challenges including transport, public safety, and access to cultural life, and then developed their own proposals. In Zaklików, ideas included improving street lighting, expanding public transport, and revitalising cultural spaces.
A key element of both events was direct engagement with local authorities. In Kraków, participants met city councillor Grzegorz Garboliński, while in Zaklików they presented ideas to the mayor and a councillor. One participant in Kraków described frustration with access to decision-makers, saying: “It is impossible to communicate with local authorities in Kraków.” Others highlighted a broader sense of disconnect. “We lack dialogue and openness,” said another participant. At the same time, many participants emphasised the value of the experience. One young participant reflected that it showed them they could contribute to public life, even if it felt unfamiliar: “It made me feel I have a voice, even if it still comes with some anxiety.”
The forums also included structured debates and interactive exercises designed to build civic competences such as critical thinking, collaboration, and media literacy. A debate on lowering the voting age to 16 encouraged participants to engage with democratic principles and opposing views. Organisers said the format was intended to move beyond theory and place young people in active roles within decision-making processes. In Zaklików, the experience was particularly hands-on, with some of the participants’ proposals being selected for further development after the event.
Despite high levels of engagement, the forums also reflected wider challenges in youth participation in Poland, including low institutional trust and a perception that young people have limited influence over political decisions. Still, many participants expressed a strong desire for more involvement. As one put it: “Democracy may be flawed, but it is the best system we have.”