Highlights from the NEXT.GEN.FORUM – For Youth, Education, and Politics
Two days of exchange, ideas, and meaningful participation.
On March 20 – 21, 2026, the Stadtforum Dresden became a meeting point for young people, initiatives, civil society actors, and political decision-makers from Dresden and across Europe. Within the framework of the Youth4Change project, one central question guided the event: How can youth participation be made truly effective today?
The forum offered a diverse programme of interactive formats, discussions, creative workshops, and spaces for encounter – all aimed at bringing together perspectives and co-developing solutions to current societal challenges.
Friday, 20 March 2026 – Dialogue, perspectives & creative methods
The first day began with an open Welcome Lounge, offering space for arrival, getting to know each other, and initial conversations. After the official opening of the NEXT.GEN.FORUM and the introduction of the European Youth4Change project by Myrto-Helena Pertsinidi and Doreen Siegmund from Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e.V., the programme started with an interactive icebreaker that invited participants to make different perspectives visible and engage in dialogue.
A particular highlight was the World Café “Youth in Dialogue”, where participants discussed key topics in small rotating groups – including youth participation, media literacy, digital spaces, diversity, belonging, and the future of Europe. This open format made it possible to directly connect different experiences and ideas and to jointly explore current challenges, needs, and possible solutions.
Participants then deepened their engagement in a series of workshops on key societal topics: from argumentation and fake news to digital participation, activism, democracy, diversity, and creative self-expression. Through hands-on exercises, creative methods, and group discussions, participants shared perspectives, gained new insights, and deepened their understanding of current societal challenges.
In the afternoon, the youth-centred panel discussion “Let’s Talk About Change” brought together young people with representatives from politics, organisations, and civil society to discuss what meaningful participation can look like and what structures are needed to achieve it. The panel featured Myrto-Helena Pertsinidi (JKPeV), Elodie Bohling (OBESSU), Nuša Stamejčič (IDEA), Elli Martius (SPD City Council Group), Steve Hanschur (Dresden Student Council), Sascha Möckel (District Advisory Board Neustadt/Pieschen), Marcus Weber (Politischer Jugendring Dresden e.V.), and Fabian Gabsch (Saxon Student Union). The different perspectives and ideas provided valuable input for the discussion and highlighted the diversity of views on successful youth participation. At the same time, it became clear where structural challenges still exist and how important it is to strengthen dialogue between youth and politics in order to make participation not only possible but also effective. Questions from the audience were also included, creating an especially open and interactive exchange.
The day concluded with a concert at KulturCentrale. In a relaxed and energetic atmosphere, the Spanish band La Chismosería and the Dresden-based band Canelazo created a special closing moment with their diverse mix of original songs and musical influences. The music brought participants together, invited them to dance, and created a lively space for encounter, exchange, and shared moments.
Saturday, 21 March 2026 – Collaboration, deepening & networking
The second day began with a keynote by Eva Jähnigen, Deputy Mayor of the City of Dresden, who emphasized the importance of actively involving young people in democratic processes and enabling genuine participation. We were also very pleased to welcome Dresden’s Mayor Dirk Hilbert, who visited and supported the forum.
Next, the Pitch Session gave various organisations the opportunity to present their work and ideas in short presentations, providing important impulses for exchange and collaboration. Participating organisations included the Cambio e.V., Dresden Student Council, farbwerk e.V., and MedienDemokratieHub. Their contributions offered concise insights into different projects and perspectives and sparked follow-up conversations.
The Round Tables then provided space for in-depth discussion on key topics related to youth participation, democracy, and social change. In several parallel discussion rounds, participants exchanged experiences, perspectives, and challenges, jointly developing initial solutions. Key themes included structured dialogue between youth and politics, media literacy and disinformation, as well as diversity, inclusion, and accessible participation spaces. Another round table focused on Roger Hart’s “Ladder of Participation”, reflecting on different levels and forms of participation in schools, society, and politics. The Round Tables enabled open, discussion-based exchange on equal footing and highlighted the importance of taking young perspectives seriously and integrating them into political and societal processes.
At the following Networking Forum “Let’s Share One Umbrella”, young people, organisations, and European partners came together in an open format to connect, exchange ideas, and explore potential collaborations. Participating European partner organisations included OBESSU (Belgium), MANO Europa (Lithuania), IDEA (Netherlands), La Guajira & the University of Almería (Spain), and InCo Molfetta (Italy). The exchange was complemented by local initiatives from Dresden: AG Kurzfilm – German Short Film Association, farbwerk e.V., coloRadio Dresden, cambio e.V., Aktion Zivilcourage / Partnership for Democracy, Zeugen der Flucht Dresden e.V., the Dresden Student City Council, and the MedienDemokratieHub. Together, this created a diverse space for encounter, networking, and future collaboration.
What remains from the NEXT.GEN.FORUM
Two days full of exchange, discussion, creativity, and encounters have shown that youth participation thrives on dialogue and co-creation. The NEXT.GEN.FORUM created a space where ideas can grow, perspectives become visible, and real connections are made.
Youth4Change – My City. My Country. My Europe.
The NEXT.GEN.FORUM is part of the European project Youth4Change – My City. My Country. My Europe (2026–2027), which places young people at the centre of shaping their communities, countries, and Europe. The project creates spaces where young people’s perspectives are taken seriously and translated into meaningful participation.
The project is implemented in close cooperation with the City of Dresden and a consortium of experienced organisations from across Europe: Jugend- & Kulturprojekt e.V. (Germany, coordinator), OBESSU (Belgium), MANO Europa (Lithuania), IDEA (Netherlands), La Guajira and the University of Almería (Spain), and InCo Molfetta (Italy). Together, they bring long-standing expertise in youth work, political education, media literacy, and democratic participation.
