Nowy Port is a former working-class district of Gdańsk that has undergone revitalization in recent years. Due to its history and spatial layout, which does not resemble a large city, many residents of this district feel a strong attachment to it. In recent years, new residents have joined our community, including individuals from the Ukrainian community. At the heart of the district, there is a neglected quarter of social housing, whose residents have limited capacity to influence the development of their surroundings. That’s particularly true for young people. We changed this by creating a systemic model of young residents’ participation in district management. We took into account the current challenges related to the diversity of resident groups and social exclusion.

We diagnosed the needs related to social engagement among young residents of Nowy Port. Together with children and youth, we popularized the principles of the participation model in the district. After informational meetings, we organized educational activities where participants learned about the competencies of institutions and organizations operating in the district, their representatives, and civic engagement tools such as participatory budgeting, legislative initiatives, and the Gdańsk Neighborhood Fund.

Together, we created a model of participatory work with district residents and other stakeholders. We developed tools and methods to involve young people in co-deciding on the district’s development. Finally, we conducted a pilot project and sought to disseminate the model within the policies and institutions of the city of Gdańsk.

Thanks to the project activities, we were able to strengthen the voice of young people in areas that interest them. The youth gained effective tools for influence, and the city gained tools for engaging them.