Focus Group with NGO
On May 15, 2025, from 17:30 to 19:30, the first focus group meeting was held in Pissouri as part of the qualitative research under the CERV programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values). This initiative, implemented within the project "CERV – Creating European Routes and Voices for Community Empowerment" (project website), aims to develop a Youth Activity Map for Pissouri — a strategic tool for identifying the needs, interests, challenges, and opportunities of local youth. The Youth Activity Map will support inclusive policy design and youth-centered community actions.
The session gathered residents, young people, and representatives of key local stakeholders and NGOs, including:
THOI Pissouri, AEN Pissouri, Cultural Association NOSTOS, SKE Pissouri, the Pissouri Cultural Committee, and NGO ACPELIA.
The discussion focused on youth participation, cultural and educational opportunities, social inclusion, and local development. The insights shared during this and future sessions will shape the creation of the Youth Activity Map — empowering the younger generation and strengthening civic engagement in the Pissouri community.
Cities4YOUth – Pissouri Focus Group
Local Dialogue with NGOs & Public Sector
Date: Thursday,
May 15, 2025
Time: 17:30 – 19:30
Location: Pissouri Multicultural Centre
Facilitator: ACPELIA Pissouri
Duration:
2 hours
Participants:
- THOI Pissouri
- AEN (Athletic Union of Pissouri)
- Cultural Association NOSTOS
- SKE Pissouri (Social Welfare Council)
- Pissouri Cultural Committee
- Local residents and volunteers
As part of the European Union's CERV Programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values), this focus group was convened in Pissouri to examine the current state of youth engagement in the community. The aim was to identify both the barriers preventing meaningful youth participation and the opportunities for reconnecting young people with public life, culture, and local institutions.
Bringing together NGO leaders, cultural representatives, and residents, the discussion tackled key questions:
- What are the systemic obstacles to youth participation?
- What has worked—and what hasn't—in past efforts?
- What structures are missing to support youth involvement?
- How can a meaningful and sustained youth presence in community life be built?
The dialogue revealed a shared understanding: youth disengagement is not due to lack of interest, but lack of inclusion and infrastructure.
The main objectives were to:
- Understand how youth are currently involved—or excluded—in village life.
- Examine past initiatives and identify reasons for limited engagement.
- Explore structural, logistical, and political barriers to participation.
- Co-develop practical strategies for fostering youth inclusion.
- Prioritize actions such as the establishment of a Youth Center in Pissouri.
Key Discussion Highlights
· A Mindset Shift is Needed: Adults Must Take the First Step
Participants unanimously agreed that responsibility for initiating change lies with adults. Youth have repeatedly been invited to participate in ways that did not resonate with their reality. Adult-led events often lacked youth input or reflected outdated approaches.
"We shouldn't expect youth to come to us—we need to go to them and understand their needs."
The discussion reflected a shift from youth-focused programming to youth-informed collaboration, where engagement is built through trust, relevance, and respect.
· A Shared Priority: A Dedicated Youth Center
There was universal agreement that the absence of a dedicated youth space has been a major obstacle. Participants proposed the immediate development of a Youth Center that would:
- Be co-designed with young people from Pissouri.
- Provide a flexible, open, and welcoming environment.
- Host structured activities (e.g., art, music, sports) and informal gatherings.
- Include digital access, equipment, and areas for self-expression (e.g., murals, graffiti walls).
- Serve as a base for youth-led events, clubs, and committees.
"They need a space that feels like their own—not one borrowed or adapted."
The center would also act as a symbol of investment in youth, sending a clear message of inclusion and recognition.
· Current Gaps in Infrastructure and Inclusion
The session identified several significant gaps:
- No youth representation in governance or community planning.
- Loss of sports infrastructure, such as the village football field, which led to the dissolution of youth sports teams.
- Lack of structured creative and recreational spaces for informal youth-led activities.
- Limited access to digital tools, such as community Wi-Fi or online hubs.
- Insufficient communication tools: outdated reliance on Facebook while youth are active on Instagram, TikTok.
"We have young people who want to contribute—but we haven't created ways for them to be seen or heard."
· Reflections on Past Attempts and Missed Opportunities
Several participants recounted initiatives that were launched with enthusiasm but lost momentum due to poor planning, lack of youth input, or short-term funding:
- Cultural festivals with limited youth participation.
- Art and graffiti programs that never received follow-up support.
- A sports team with nowhere to train or compete.
- Volunteer programs without a clear youth-oriented strategy.
The group recognized the need to evaluate and learn from these experiences, and to build systems of continuity and youth ownership.
"The challenge isn't the lack of ideas—it's the lack of structure, funding, and coordination."
5. Building Mechanisms for Youth Participation
The group critically addressed the absence of formal mechanisms for youth inclusion in public decision-making.
Proposals included:
- Establishing a Youth Advisory Council with rotating youth representatives.
- Embedding youth members into existing committees (culture, sports, welfare).
- Creating transparent, accessible channels for youth to propose initiatives.
- Providing civic education and leadership training for young participants.
"We don't just need events for youth—we need representation by youth."
6. Data First: Understanding Youth Before Acting
Participants proposed a well-designed youth interest survey as an essential first step. This survey would:
- Identify different categories of interests (e.g., arts, gaming, sports, technology).
- Understand the demographic distribution (age, background, education).
- Highlight barriers to engagement and mobility.
- Gather feedback on what kinds of events, services, and spaces youth would value.
It was agreed that decisions must be evidence-based, and not based on adult assumptions
7. Improving Communication and Outreach
The group recognized the need to rethink how youth are being reached. Current outreach methods, such as posters or Facebook posts, are not effective. Suggested improvements included:
- Using Instagram, TikTok, and messaging apps.
- Installing QR codes in public areas linking to youth surveys or events.
- Involving schools, sports clubs, and informal youth networks in outreach.
"If we can't speak their language—digitally and socially—we'll lose them.
8. Insights from the CERV Framework: Broader Reflections
Reflecting on key CERV programme questions, participants discussed:
- What support do policymakers need?
Training on youth inclusion, flexible funding models, and better data collection tools.
- What works—and what doesn't?
Youth-led art and music programs worked well; bureaucratic top-down initiatives did not.
- Where is the city falling short?
In not providing dedicated spaces, failing to consult youth regularly, and not integrating them into planning bodies.
- What kind of new youth initiative is needed?
A hybrid space—physical and digital—that combines creative freedom, skill-building, and civic voice.
Recommendations
Based on the discussion, the following priority actions are proposed:
1. Establish a Pissouri Youth Center
- Secure a centrally located space.
- Involve youth in the design, branding, and programming.
- Ensure access to digital tools, equipment, and mentorship.
2. Develop and Distribute a Youth Survey
- Target young people aged 10–30.
- Include both online and in-person formats.
- Use results to guide all future planning.
3. Create a Youth Advisory Council
- Include representatives from every local youth-oriented group.
- Build mentorship links with adult committee members.
- Give the Council real responsibilities and visibility.
4. Launch Pilot Youth-Led Projects
- Street art and mural projects.
- Open mic nights or music events.
- Gaming or coding clubs, youth film festivals.
5. Address Infrastructure and Policy Barriers
- Restore or replace lost sports and cultural facilities.
- Simplify processes for forming clubs and associations.
- Provide legal or administrative support for youth initiatives.
6. Modernize Communication Tools
- Use social media platforms relevant to youth.
- Create a youth-specific communication strategy.
- Engage young people to co-manage digital content.
The consultation in Pissouri made one message clear: young people are not disengaged—they are disempowered. Participants from all sectors acknowledged that a Youth Center is a vital first step, but not a solution on its own.
What's needed is a comprehensive and sustained strategy—one that listens, adapts, and evolves with youth voices at the center.
The success of youth engagement in Pissouri will depend on breaking from old habits, building new platforms, and trusting the next generation to lead.
