Cities 4 YOUth Event in Poland (Kielce, 23 - 27 of March 2026)
✨ Introduction – CERV Event in Kielce, Poland
From 23 to 27 March 2026, young participants from across Europe gathered in Kielce, Poland, for an inspiring and dynamic mobility within the Cities 4 YOUth (C4Y) project, co-funded by the CERV Programme.
This Work Package brought together civic engagement, intercultural exchange, and youth participation, creating a powerful space where young people explored the role of cities in their lives and actively contributed to discussions on democracy, inclusion, and community development.
Throughout the experience, participants engaged in interactive activities, institutional visits, youth-led initiatives, and collaborative learning moments, all culminating in the vibrant YOUth Festival.
📸 Below, you can explore a rich collection of photos capturing the energy, collaboration, and unforgettable moments of this mobility.
Each image reflects the spirit of the project—connection, participation, and European cooperation in action.
Day 1 – Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Day 1 of the project, and a day full of exploration of all aspects of Kielce.After being picked up from the hotel, participants took a trip to Urząd Stanu Cywilnego. Part of the City Hall of Kielce, this place holds the area for archival records, such as family history, recognition of relationships (like marriages) and more. It ultimately hosts the official life archive of every family, as part of city administration, the Civil Registry Office.
In the plenary room of the Kielce City Council, this is where we hosted the first activity, with partner presentations, where each municipality, and ACPELIA, representing Pissouri and surrounding areas presented what they do locally, as well as presenting some of the local activities being done as part of this very project.
This was also where we met the major of Kielce, Agata Wodja, where participants had the unique opportunity to ask questions about her work, including how it actually feels like to have the responsibilities of the mayor, how young Kielce voices are heard, and how the Municipality organizes cultural events, such as the upcoming easter fair.
After a short break, participants visited Urban Lab Kielce, where Domika gave an entire presentation on what exactly this is. Part of the "Urban Lab – Miasto dla Młodych" initiative supported by Urban Lab – Miasto dla Młodych" initiative supported by the city and European funds. city and European funds, it's a creative space in Kielce focused on young residents, community engagement, and innovation. It ultimately provides a space forlearning, creativity, and social interaction, as it has a PlayStation 5, equipment for podcast making, spaces for workshops and community events.
The space operates with input from local youth — even decisions like the interior design were consulted with them. It was officially opened on the 29th of October 2025.
Dominika explained that activities and projects include
- Creative workshops with the design institute in Kielce
- Young Leader Academy Training Cycle
- Social Dialogue Ideation
- Urban Café, with special guests, debates and what they call "inspiratoriums"
- Self-development workshops.
After having lunch break, this is where the Youth City Council members were invovled, where they took us to a tour around the city, explaining each stop, including
The Palace of Krakow Bishops (Pałac Biskupów Krakowskich) – a historic palace built from 1637–1644 as a summer residence for the bishops of Kraków. It's one of the best-preserved early Baroquepalaces in Poland.
The Itailan Garden (Ogród Włoski) - A formal 17th-century garden behind the palace laid out in the Italian Renaissance/Baroque style
As well as the Sky of Kielce (Niebo Kielc) – A large mirror panel. A modern public art display meant to let people to "see the sky under their feet".
The day ended with dinner, at Restaurant Rozmaryn, right at the last stop, the central square.
Day 2 – Wednesday, March 25, 2026
A new day, and this time most of the taking place slightly outside of Kielce proper. Today we took a ride to Dwór Starostów Chęcińskich, which means Manor House of the Chęciny Starosts. This is a historic residence associated with royal officials governing the area of Chęciny.
The space was used for a meeting with the Świętokrzyskie Youth Assembly, whose members showcased some of the work they do, such as the fact they directly speak with counselors who have power in youth policies, competitions, NGO fairs they host and attend, silent disco and even their work on the international youth day every August. The most important thing is of course that all these activities are directly organized by youth for youth. The Youth Assembly is meant to represent young people and get them involved in public life.
The next step was a full exploration of the Manor, with a host, dressed in a Kontusz, which was worn by Polish nobility (szlachta), especially in the 16th–18th centuries. The host explained how thekontusz haslong, split sleeves that hang loose or are thrown back which nobles would throw back or display the sleeves as part of gesture, posture, or etiquette.
The host showcased the manor, including the actual weaponry and armor used during peak clashes of Europe vs the Ottomans in the late 1600s. Crucially the museum hosted weapons from both sides of the conflict. We also had a look at, once again, an Italian style garden.
Our next stop was a visit to the Leonardo Da Vinci Science Center which was just a walking distance from the manor. A fascinating museum, focused on the human body, including how the heart,lungs and brain work. It even had a driving simulator to test coordination driving under the influence of different narcotics. The museum also hosted physical experiments, logic puzzles, coordination tests and more.
The rest of the day took place at Urban Lab Kielce starting with the Oxford Debate preparation which was to take place the day after at the Youth Festival in Kopernik School. Piotr explained exactly how oxford debates work, what each participants' role was, as well has how to create and set motions. Participants then, in national groups came up with motions, presented them and democratically, one was voted to take place.
As for the evening, we hosted an intercultural night where team Cyprus, Italy, Poland (Kielce and Starachowice together), Spain and Portugal presented their culture with music, dance and even quizzes!
Day 3 – Thursday, March 26, 2026
The ultimate day, the Youth Festival, taking place this time around at the "Nicolaus Copernicus School of Economics in Kielce", ultimately what the two previous days of the project have been building up to. Participants arrived at the school at 10:00 am, where the Gymnasium of the room was already set up with the student audience of the school, and the set was stage for the festival to begin.
With youngsters themselves setting up the stage, as well as an opening speech by the school principal Piotr Sowiński, facilitators explained, to the audience, how the Oxford Debate functions.
Based on work from the previous day, the motion was as follows:
"Big cities put more pressure on young people to achieve success"
With the proposition team being Daria, Raul, Kamila and Frederika, and the opposition team being composed of Patrik, Lee, Ezza and Kuba, the teams went head-to-head to convince the audience to gain their point of view. The winners were ultimately the opposition, meaning the audience was convinced that big cities do NOT put more pressure on young people to achieve success.
The festival continued with world café stations, where participants from this project, and students from the school itself discussed, presented their point of view on cities, ecology, social media and more.
With the remainder of the day being free, and a leader's meeting for upcoming steps of this program, the next stop is Faenza, Italy!
