Culture-Led Community Labs for Youth Civic Participation

Context & common need
Across Europe, youth civic participation is often weak and fragmented, especially among young people with fewer opportunities and limited social networks. Many organisations lack simple, transferable and evidence-informed models to engage young people in a consistent and meaningful way.

Project idea
We will co-design and test a replicable Culture-Led Community Lab model using non-formal and cultural practices (storytelling, public space activities, community micro-events, participatory methods) to strengthen belonging, active citizenship skills and local civic engagement.

Objectives
1. Co-define a shared problem statement through comparative needs mapping (micro-survey + focus group in each country).
2. Produce an open-access Handbook/Toolkit (10–12 non-formal methods + ready-to-use templates).
3. Deliver and evaluate a Community Lab pilot in each partner country with a clear protocol (pre/post + facilitators’ logbook).
4. Boost transferability and impact through transnational capacity building, local multiplier events and a final hybrid event.

Main activities (draft)
- Kick-off + transnational coordination meetings
Needs mapping and local stakeholder outreach
- Co-creation of the Handbook/Toolkit + replicable materials
- 3 transnational trainings (complementary modules: participation/co-governance; culture & public space labs; civic digital storytelling)
- 1 pilot cycle per partner: 6 sessions (2h) + final open day, group of 12–15 young people (18–30)
- Final hybrid event + dissemination package (repository, visual kit, press kit)

Expected results
- Comparative Needs & Practices Brief
- Open-access Handbook/Toolkit + templates + “Lab Model in-a-box” protocol
- Evaluation & transfer report (what works, for whom, under which conditions)
- Multi-channel dissemination + local micro-events (one per partner)

Partner profile (at least one strong area)
- Youth NGO with strong inclusion/outreach experience (18–30)
- Cultural organisation experienced in community engagement / public spaces
- Municipality/youth council or NGO with youth participation and co-decision expertise
- Organisation with digital storytelling/civic communication or evaluation skills

Partners’ expected contribution
- Recruit youth workers and young participants (18–30) for local activities
- Host and run the pilot cycle following the shared protocol
- Contribute toolkit content (practices, case studies, adaptations)
- Support local dissemination and stakeholder engagement
(we will include inclusion measures and reasonable accommodations based on participants’ needs)

What CULT APS provides as coordinator
Clear workplan, shared templates & repository, quality/evaluation framework, support for piloting, co-branding and dissemination pack.

To apply as a partner, please email us your Partner Identification Form (PIF) and a short description of your organisation’s relevant experience and role you would like to cover in the project. Please use the subject line: “Culture-Led Community Labs | Partner Application”.