Strengthening Democratic Participation of Young People
The City of Kraków is implementing a set of youth-focused initiatives under the “Młody Kraków” framework, aimed at increasing the participation of young people in local governance. Through mechanisms such as the Youth City Council, the School Participatory Budget, and the Youth Ambassador Programme, the city creates structured opportunities for young residents to engage in decision-making and influence public policies.
The initiative is grounded in the promotion of the right to democratic participation, with a strong focus on transforming youth engagement from symbolic consultation into meaningful influence. By connecting various participation channels into a more coherent system, Kraków aims to build a culture of active citizenship among young people and ensure their voices are reflected in local governance.
Through the introduction of the Standardised Monitoring System (SMS), the municipality is beginning to structure previously fragmented data on youth participation. This has improved visibility across departments and enabled better coordination of youth policies. While still in an early phase, the SMS is already supporting a shift toward more accountable and evidence-based approaches to youth engagement.
Although comprehensive results are not yet available, the process has already prompted internal reflection and improved cooperation between departments working on youth policies. The city is working to move from fragmented initiatives toward a more integrated approach, where young people are seen not as passive beneficiaries but as co-creators of public policy.
Kraków’s experience highlights the importance of structuring participation through data and coordination. Even at an early stage, the SMS is helping to lay the foundation for more coherent, inclusive, and sustainable youth engagement policies, with strong potential for replication in other cities.
