On 12 February 2026, the Municipality of Gjorče Petrov became a space for meaningful dialogue, where young people and decision-makers came together to shape the future of public spaces in North Macedonia. The National Youth Structured Dialogue, implemented by Sport Social Solutions within the Youth Placemaking Balkans initiative, brought together 30 participants for a collaborative, forward-looking discussion on youth participation and urban development.

The event brought together youth delegates, representatives of the Local Youth Council, and municipal authorities, creating a rare and valuable opportunity for direct exchange. From the very beginning, the atmosphere was open and inclusive, encouraging participants to share their experiences, ideas, and concerns in a space where youth voices were not only heard but actively valued.

From Dialogue to Solutions

At the heart of the discussion was a central question: how can young people be more meaningfully involved in shaping the cities they live in?

Through facilitated sessions and group work, participants explored the current challenges surrounding youth participation in urban planning. Many highlighted the limited opportunities for young people to be included in decision-making processes, as well as the lack of accessible, inclusive, and youth-friendly public spaces. The need for stronger cooperation between municipalities and youth organisations also emerged as a key issue.

Rather than stopping at identifying problems, the dialogue focused on solutions. Participants worked together to map local needs and propose concrete actions, including creating a national youth placemaking network, improving consultation mechanisms, and developing practical tools to integrate youth perspectives into urban design policies.

A Space for Real Exchange

One of the most impactful elements of the event was the direct interaction between youth and policymakers. Through roundtable discussions and joint working sessions, young participants presented their ideas and engaged in constructive conversations with municipal representatives.

This exchange helped bridge the gap between institutions and young citizens, fostering mutual understanding and opening new channels for cooperation. As one participant shared:

“This dialogue gave us a real opportunity to express how we see our city and what needs to change. For the first time, I felt that our ideas about public spaces were truly heard by decision-makers.”

Municipal representatives also recognised the value of this interaction, emphasising the importance of youth input in shaping future policies:

“Hearing directly from young people helps us better understand their needs. Their proposals are practical and valuable, and we must create stronger mechanisms to include them in our planning processes.”

Building a National Youth Placemaking Network

Beyond the discussions, the dialogue marked an important step toward establishing a national youth placemaking network. Participants engaged in stakeholder mapping, identified key actors, and explored ways to strengthen cooperation between youth organisations, local councils, and public institutions.

Concrete next steps were outlined, including:

organising regular dialogues between youth and municipalities

developing policy recommendations on youth inclusion in urban planning

creating communication channels for ongoing collaboration

These actions aim to ensure that the ideas generated during the dialogue continue to evolve into real, long-term impact.

Overcoming Barriers and Creating Opportunities

The discussions also revealed important challenges. Some participants initially found it difficult to openly express their ideas in front of institutional representatives, while others highlighted the need for more inclusive participation beyond group settings.

Through facilitation methods such as ice-breakers, storytelling, and mixed working groups, these barriers were gradually overcome, allowing all participants to actively contribute to the dialogue.

A Step Toward Lasting Change

The success of the event is reflected not only in its outcomes but also in participants’ strong engagement—100% reported the opportunity to actively participate, and 90% evaluated the dialogue as successful.

More importantly, the dialogue created a foundation for continued collaboration. The ideas and recommendations generated during the event are being shared with relevant stakeholders, while participants remain connected through ongoing project activities, mentorship, and future exchanges.

By bringing youth and policymakers to the same table, the National Structured Dialogue demonstrated that inclusive decision-making is not only possible but essential. It reaffirmed that when young people are given the opportunity to participate, they can play a vital role in creating more inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable communities.