From 13 to 19 September 2026, United Societies of Balkans hosted young people, youth organisations and project partners from across Europe in Thessaloniki and Oraiokastro for a week dedicated to youth participation, active citizenship and the role of youth spaces, as part of the GivEUvoice project. Young people from Greece, Cyprus, North Macedonia, France, Poland, Germany, Spain and Slovakia came together for an international Youth Exchange.
Through non-formal education activities, workshops and intercultural exchange, participants explored how young people can become more actively involved in their communities, with particular attention to those living in rural, semi-rural, peripheral and peri-urban areas.
A central theme throughout the exchange was the role of physical and digital youth spaces as places for participation, expression and connection. Participants shared experiences from their countries, discussed what makes youth spaces inclusive and accessible, and explored how they can better connect young people with local decision-making. The programme also included an exchange with the Oraiokastro Youth Municipal Council, as well as cultural activities in Thessaloniki and Halkidiki.
On 18 September, the GivEUvoice European Conference took place in Oraiokastro, bringing together young people, project partners, youth organisations and local actors. Young participants shared their experiences and presented the project’s policy recommendations, while discussions explored how youth spaces can become genuine hubs for participation and local democracy.
The conference also welcomed online contributions from Laura Ventura, Project Adviser at the European Education and Culture Executive Agency, Charalampos Papaioannou, Policy Officer at the European Commission, as well as Maria Roidi, Youth Programme Coordinator and Youth Worker at Actionaid Hellas. A panel discussion and World Café gave participants further space to exchange ideas on how youth voices can be translated into concrete local action.
The week ended on 19 September the Final Transnational Partners Meeting, during which the consortium reviewed the project’s achievements and coordinated its final steps, including the Roadmap for Youth Spaces, policy recommendations, dissemination and sustainability activities.
As GivEUvoice approaches its completion, the week highlighted one of its central messages: young people need not only opportunities to participate, but inclusive spaces where their voices can be heard, connected to decision-making and transformed into action.
The GivEUvoice project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
