Within the framework of the YPB project, ISA successfully implemented two youth-led placemaking interventions in Pula, Croatia. The interventions focused on revitalising underused public spaces for active recreation and strengthening youth participation in community development.

Both interventions were carried out on 26 September 2026 in two nearby locations — a forest park area and a school playground — allowing for coordinated community engagement and a joint celebration event connected to the European School Sport Day (ESSD).

These activities were part of the Work Package dedicated to youth-led placemaking for active recreation and followed the project’s participatory methodology based on four key phases: Touch – Engage – Action – Celebrate.

Revitalising the Forest Park for Safe Outdoor Recreation

The first intervention took place in a degraded forest park area located near a local primary school and kindergarten. The space had significant potential for outdoor sport and recreational activities, but required activation and community involvement to unlock its value.

Young people played a central role in analysing the current state of the area, identifying safety concerns, and proposing ideas for future improvements. Through informal consultations, drawings, and on-site meetings, youth participants contributed directly to shaping the vision for the revitalised space.

Environmental clean-up actions and tree planting activities were organised to raise awareness about sustainability and civic responsibility. Sport activation sessions were also conducted on the former tracking course to test potential future uses and encourage physical activity among young participants.

In cooperation with local stakeholders — including schools, sport organisations, municipal representatives, and sport professionals — preparations were initiated for long-term improvements such as the renovation of sport infrastructure and installation of outdoor fitness elements. These actions strengthened collaboration between youth and decision-makers, reinforcing the importance of participatory planning processes.

Improving the School Playground Through Youth Participation

The second intervention focused on enhancing an underused school playground located in proximity to the forest park area. The objective was to increase the attractiveness, inclusiveness, and usability of the space through small-scale physical improvements and community activation activities.

Workshop sessions enabled young participants to analyse how the playground was used and to identify missing elements that could improve engagement. Participatory tools such as the “Ladder of Participation” were used to facilitate discussions on youth involvement in shaping public spaces.

Concrete improvements included the renovation of existing sports infrastructure, installation of new basketball nets, and repainting of football field lines. These actions were complemented by informal sport and recreational activities led by youth workers and facilitators, which helped to re-activate the space and encourage regular use by the local community.

The intervention demonstrated how relatively small physical changes, when combined with strong youth engagement, can significantly increase the functionality and social value of community sport spaces.

Joint Celebration Event and Community Activation

A joint celebration event was organised for both interventions, bringing together students, teachers, youth workers, sport coaches, families, and local stakeholders.

The event was aligned with the European School Sport Day, providing an opportunity to publicly showcase the results of the youth-led interventions and promote active lifestyles. Sport demonstrations, recreational activities, and community interactions strengthened participants’ sense of ownership and highlighted the importance of youth participation in local development processes.

Challenges and Learning Outcomes

The implementation of the interventions highlighted several important challenges, including administrative delays related to long-term infrastructure decisions, maintaining continuous youth engagement throughout multiple phases, and balancing school schedules with activity planning.

Despite these challenges, the interventions generated strong learning outcomes. Young participants developed skills related to teamwork, civic engagement, environmental responsibility, and participatory decision-making. Their direct involvement in analysing spaces, proposing solutions, and implementing improvements contributed to a stronger sense of ownership and responsibility toward maintaining the revitalised areas.

Sustainability of the interventions is ensured through continued cooperation with schools and local sport organisations, which will use the improved spaces for regular physical activity programmes and community initiatives.