What does meaningful youth participation in public space actually look like today? Why does it often remain fragmented or short-lived? And what would it take to make it more continuous, visible, and impactful?

These were the guiding questions of the national youth structured dialogue “Youth in Dialogue – Παίρνουμε Χώρο (We Take Space)”, co-hosted and co-organised with Astylab, an organisation with a strong and active community of engaged citizens in Athens. Bringing together 30 participants, the session created a space for collective reflection on how young people experience, shape, and struggle to access public space today, while also inviting youth from Thessaloniki to share their experiences with the Athenian community and contribute to a broader, cross-city exchange.

At the core of the discussion was a shared recognition: young people are already present in public space, but their participation remains uneven, informal, and often invisible. Participation does exist, through grassroots initiatives, cultural activities, environmental actions, or even spontaneous mobilisations, but it is rarely embedded in stable or accessible structures. Instead, it often emerges reactively, driven by emotions such as care, frustration, joy, or a sense of belonging.

One key insight is that youth participation is not a linear or uniform process. It can take many forms, from organised collective actions to informal encounters and hybrid practices that extend into digital spaces. This multiplicity reflects both the creativity of young people and the lack of clear pathways for sustained engagement.

At the same time, participants highlighted a series of structural barriers that continue to limit their ability to engage more consistently. Lack of time, due to academic and work pressures, was repeatedly mentioned, alongside limited access to civic education and insufficient preparation for active participation. Institutional challenges were also central: weak transparency, limited communication from public authorities, and a perceived distance between young people and decision-making processes. In parallel, the erosion of neighbourhood ties and collective culture was seen as a critical factor that weakens the foundations for participation.

These conditions create a paradox. For some, participation feels like a luxury, something that requires time, resources, and access that not everyone has. For others, it is a necessity: a way to claim space, express needs, and respond to everyday challenges. This tension reflects the broader reality of youth engagement today: a strong willingness to participate, alongside systemic constraints that make sustained participation difficult.

Another important thread of the dialogue was the exploration of a potential network around youth participation and public space. Participants expressed clear interest in a platform that could connect people, share knowledge, and provide access to opportunities and resources. However, this interest came with strong conditions: such a network should remain open, inclusive, and community-driven. It should support real, tangible actions and avoid becoming a top-down or purely symbolic structure.

Across all discussions, one element stood out clearly: the importance of small-scale, tangible actions. Participants emphasised that change does not necessarily begin with large strategies, but with accessible, local initiatives that allow young people to experience their own agency. These actions, however small, can gradually shift perceptions, build confidence, and create the conditions for more sustained forms of participation.

Participants’ feedback reinforced the value of the process itself. Most reported feeling actively involved, having their perspectives heard, and the dialogue creating a sense of connection and shared understanding. The strong engagement also highlighted a clear need: spaces like this are rare yet essential.

Ultimately, the dialogue did not aim to produce definitive answers. Instead, it surfaced patterns, shared concerns, and open questions. It made visible both the potential and the fragility of youth participation in public space today. Perhaps most importantly, it confirmed that “taking space” is not a single act, but an ongoing process: one that requires continuous dialogue, collective effort, and the creation of conditions where youth voices can move from expression to influence.

A warm thank you to all participants for their openness, honesty, and active contribution to this dialogue. Your insights and experiences shaped this process. Special thanks to Adam Markakis from Astylab for the collaboration and co-organisation of the event, and for bringing together a vibrant community of active citizens.