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Launch of the Project and Website

The official launch of LuminaCity – Illuminating Urban Identity marks the beginning of an exciting European initiative that places young people at the centre of shaping the future of their cities. Funded by the Erasmus+ Programme (KA154-YOU), the project brings together organisations from Greece, Slovenia, Malta, and Italy with a common goal: to empower young people to participate actively in urban development, city branding, and local decision-making. Through innovative workshops, public forums, digital storytelling activities, and an international mobility, LuminaCity encourages young people to become active contributors to more inclusive, creative, and sustainable communities.

The official website, https://luminacity.eu, serves as the project’s central communication platform, providing access to news, activities, educational resources, newsletters, and project results. Visitors can learn more about the project’s objectives, partner organisations, upcoming events, and the educational materials developed throughout the project. The website also offers practical resources for young people, youth workers, educators, and local stakeholders interested in strengthening youth participation and promoting active citizenship through city branding. Follow LuminaCity and discover how young people are helping shape the cities of tomorrow.

Youth Participation Event with Mobilities – Youth Urban Planning Workshop

The Youth Urban Planning Workshop was the flagship international activity of the LuminaCity project, bringing together young participants and partner organisations from Greece, Slovenia, Malta, and Italy to explore the role of youth in shaping the identity and future of European cities. Through this Youth Participation Event with Mobilities, participants had the opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences, and collaborate in an intercultural environment focused on active citizenship, urban development, and city branding.

During the workshop, participants engaged in interactive sessions, group discussions, and non-formal learning activities that encouraged them to analyse how urban identity is created and how young people can actively contribute to strengthening their local communities. They explored topics such as cultural heritage, sustainability, creativity, social inclusion, and youth participation in local governance, while working together to develop innovative proposals for more youth-friendly and attractive cities.

Beyond the educational programme, the mobility promoted intercultural dialogue, teamwork, and European cooperation. Participants gained valuable knowledge about different approaches to urban development across Europe, strengthened their communication and leadership skills, and established lasting friendships with peers from different cultural backgrounds. The workshop demonstrated that young people can become important ambassadors for their cities and active contributors to local decision-making processes, reinforcing the project’s vision of creating more inclusive, resilient, and vibrant urban communities.

Youth Participation Event without Mobilities – Youth Empowerment Forum

The Youth Empowerment Forum provided young people with a dynamic platform to exchange ideas, discuss local challenges, and explore new opportunities for active participation in community life. Bringing together participants with diverse experiences and perspectives, the forum encouraged open dialogue on the importance of youth engagement in shaping the future of European cities.

Throughout the event, participants reflected on the role that young people can play in strengthening democratic participation, promoting social inclusion, and contributing to local development. Interactive discussions, collaborative activities, and practical exercises enabled participants to identify challenges within their communities while proposing creative and realistic solutions that respond to local needs. Particular attention was given to the importance of cooperation between young citizens, local authorities, civil society organisations, and other community stakeholders.

The forum also promoted personal development by strengthening participants’ confidence, communication abilities, teamwork, and leadership competences. By encouraging young people to express their ideas and actively participate in decision-making processes, the event reinforced the project’s objective of empowering youth to become active citizens capable of shaping more sustainable, inclusive, and youth-oriented cities throughout Europe.

Youth Participation Event without Mobilities – Round Table: The Importance of City Branding to Foster Youth Participation

The Round Table: The Importance of City Branding to Foster Youth Participation created an open dialogue between young people, youth workers, community representatives, and local stakeholders to explore how city branding can become a powerful instrument for strengthening civic engagement and urban development. The event highlighted the importance of involving young citizens in shaping the image, identity, and future vision of their communities.

Participants discussed how city branding extends beyond tourism promotion, representing a collaborative process through which local communities define the values, culture, history, and aspirations that distinguish their cities. The discussion focused on the ways in which young people can actively contribute to this process by sharing innovative ideas, participating in public consultations, supporting local initiatives, and promoting their cities through creative communication and digital storytelling.

The round table also encouraged participants to reflect on the relationship between youth participation, democratic governance, and sustainable urban development. By exchanging experiences and good practices from different local contexts, participants recognised that meaningful youth engagement is essential for building attractive, inclusive, and resilient cities. The event demonstrated that when young people are given the opportunity to contribute to local decision-making, they become key partners in shaping stronger communities and a more sustainable urban future.

Youth Participation Event without Mobilities – Digital Storytelling Youth Workshop

The Digital Storytelling Youth Workshop introduced young participants to innovative digital tools and creative techniques that can be used to communicate ideas, experiences, and visions for the future of their cities. The workshop highlighted the growing importance of digital media in encouraging civic participation and demonstrated how storytelling can inspire positive social change within local communities.

Participants explored different forms of digital storytelling, including photography, video creation, social media content, and visual narratives, while learning how these tools can strengthen city identity and promote youth voices. Through practical exercises and collaborative activities, they created their own digital stories, presenting the unique characteristics of their communities, local cultural heritage, and ideas for making cities more inclusive, sustainable, and youth-friendly.

The workshop also strengthened participants’ digital competences, creativity, communication skills, and confidence in expressing their opinions through modern communication channels. Combining technology with active citizenship, the activity demonstrated that young people can become powerful advocates for their communities, inspiring others to engage in local initiatives and participate more actively in shaping the future of their cities.

Youth Participation Event without Mobilities – Public Forum on City Development

The Public Forum on City Development created an open space where young people, local stakeholders, community representatives, and citizens came together to discuss the future of urban development and the important role that youth can play in shaping more inclusive and sustainable cities. The event encouraged constructive dialogue and demonstrated the value of collaboration between communities and local decision-makers.

Throughout the forum, participants exchanged ideas on improving public spaces, strengthening community identity, encouraging sustainable urban development, and increasing opportunities for youth participation in local governance. The discussions focused on identifying local needs, sharing successful practices, and exploring innovative solutions that place young people at the centre of urban transformation.

The event also provided participants with the opportunity to present recommendations and reflect on how stronger cooperation between local authorities and young citizens can contribute to more responsive and participatory communities. The Public Forum reinforced the project’s objective of promoting democratic participation and demonstrated that meaningful youth engagement is essential for creating cities that reflect the aspirations, creativity, and diversity of future generations.

The LuminaCity Handbook

One of the most significant outcomes of the LuminaCity project is the development of the LuminaCity Handbook, an educational resource designed to support young people, youth workers, educators, municipalities, and organisations interested in strengthening youth participation through city branding and active citizenship. The handbook captures the knowledge, experiences, and good practices generated throughout the project, transforming them into practical resources that can be used in a variety of educational and community settings.

The publication explores key topics including active citizenship, democratic participation, urban identity, city branding, youth empowerment, social inclusion, digital storytelling, and community development. Through practical examples, learning activities, case studies, and recommendations, readers are encouraged to understand how young people can become active contributors to shaping the image, identity, and future development of their cities. The handbook also highlights the importance of collaboration between youth, local authorities, and civil society in creating more vibrant, inclusive, and resilient communities.

As an open educational resource, the LuminaCity Handbook ensures that the project’s impact extends well beyond its official lifetime. It offers practical guidance that can be adapted by organisations, educators, and municipalities across Europe, encouraging the replication of the project’s methodology and inspiring future initiatives that place young people at the heart of urban development and democratic participation. Through this lasting resource, LuminaCity continues to support the creation of cities where young people are recognised not only as residents, but also as active partners in building stronger communities.