The “Cluj for Youth: Reality Check” event brought together representatives from eight organizations, local youth, and public institution officials to evaluate the progress of youth involvement—moving from the initial consultation phase to direct participation in local decision-making.
The gathering fostered a practical dialogue on current mechanisms and the barriers preventing an effective model of collaborative governance. The primary objective was to identify solutions that empower young people to play an active, sustainable role in shaping community initiatives.
Strategic Directions for Engagement
During the working lab sessions, discussions focused on several key strategic areas:
- Bridging the Participation Gap: Participants examined the disparity between young people’s expressed intent to participate and their actual presence in decision-making processes, seeking the necessary adjustments to close this gap.
- Institutional Communication: The group analyzed how messages from authorities can become more relevant, credible, and accessible to a younger audience, ensuring information effectively reaches its intended recipients.
- Systemic Integration: Rather than sporadic interactions, the participants worked on defining collaborative structures that integrate youth voices into the system in a permanent and meaningful way.
While the project’s research phase will continue for another year, the insights and feedback gathered at this stage are vital for laying the foundation of a stronger, more effective intergenerational collaboration.
About the Initiative
Cluj for Youth is an initiative supported by Fondation Botnar and developed by a consortium of partners: Cluj Metropolitan Area, School of Health, PONT Group, Cluj Youth Federation, C-EDU Cluj Education Cluster, Cluj Cultural Centre, InIm Institute, and Babeş-Bolyai University.
