Who are we?
Our Mission
LuminaCity is an Erasmus+ Youth Participation Project designed to empower young people to take an active role in shaping the identity and future of their cities. Today, as cities face challenges such as urban decay, loss of community identity, and exclusion of youth from decision-making processes, LuminaCity offers innovative ways for young people to become active participants in city branding, urban renewal, and community building. The identity of a city, how it is seen by its residents and the outside world, is not only about architecture or tourism. It reflects the values, culture, and stories of its people. However, youth voices are often missing from these conversations. LuminaCity aims to change that by placing young people at the center of efforts to define and communicate their cities’ identities.
Through this project, young people will explore what makes their city unique, what needs to change, and how urban spaces can become more inclusive and vibrant. Engaging in structured dialogues, creative workshops, and direct collaborations with local authorities, youth will develop and propose real solutions for more inclusive and youth-friendly urban environments.
Why LuminaCity?
Cities today face growing demands to become more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable, yet many urban development processes exclude the voices of young people. At the same time, a strong and inclusive city identity can attract investment, tourism, and new opportunities, while fostering a sense of belonging among citizens. Unfortunately, many youth feel disconnected from local governance and decision-making. LuminaCity addresses this by giving young people the tools and platforms to engage in shaping the future of their cities, ensuring that their voices are heard in city branding and urban planning processes.
Our Approach
LuminaCity uses creative, participatory, and educational methods to engage youth. These include:
- Youth Urban Planning Workshops that bring together young people, urban designers, and local authorities to rethink and redesign city spaces.
- Digital Storytelling and Media Workshops where young people create narratives, videos, and campaigns that reflect their vision of their city’s identity.
- Policy Round Tables and Dialogues that connect youth directly with policymakers to discuss urban challenges and propose youth-driven solutions.
- Public Forums and Cultural Events that involve the wider community in the conversation, making city branding a shared effort.
- International Youth Exchanges that allow participants from different countries to share experiences and build common strategies for youth participation in urban development.
Key Themes of the Project
- Youth Leadership in City Branding
LuminaCity trains young people to think critically about city image and identity and to influence how cities represent themselves locally and internationally. - Participatory Urban Development
We promote youth-centered urban planning processes, where young people contribute to the design and renewal of public spaces. - Building Inclusive Communities
LuminaCity focuses on diversity and inclusion, ensuring that city branding reflects all citizens, especially marginalized or underrepresented groups. - Civic Engagement and Policy Influence Youth participants learn how urban policies are made, gaining skills to engage in democratic processes and advocate for youth priorities in city development.
Our Goals
- To empower young people as leaders and creators in shaping the identity of their cities.
- To bridge the gap between youth and decision-makers, fostering long-term cooperation and dialogue.
- To promote urban renewal projects that reflect the needs and dreams of younger generations.
- To ensure that city branding and urban policies reflect diversity, creativity, and inclusion.
- To create a European network of youth and cities working together to innovate urban spaces and identities.
The Change We Want to See
LuminaCity envisions cities where young people are recognized as essential actors in creating vibrant, inclusive, and attractive urban environments. By involving youth in city branding and development processes, we aim to strengthen community ties, celebrate local culture, and improve urban life for all citizens. In the long term, we want to see youth-driven city branding processes adopted by municipalities, leading to cities that embrace the voices of their young people, and urban environments that reflect the values of inclusion, creativity, and participation.
Talk to us
Have any questions? We are always open to talk about our new projects, creative opportunities and how we can help you.
