Together, we explore how public space in the Netherlands and Belgium can be shaped to be more youth-friendly, with and by children and young people. We learn from examples how children, young people, and their organizations are recognized as users, experts by experience, and co-creators of public space. We map out existing networks, research, and tools, and expand our own network. We experience both the challenges and added value of participation and co-creation with youth input. We gain insight into the opportunities and challenges of spatial processes related to the participation of children and young people in Belgium and the Netherlands. We inspire organizations and municipalities with examples, frameworks, and tools. Through exchange and findings from field research, we create a shared language for spatial planners and youth workers, enabling stronger collaboration in shaping public space. We develop ‘standard’ recommendations for municipalities and youth workers. We encourage participants and partners to apply the insights from the exchange themselves. We offer improved services for youth workers, spatial actors, and policymakers, based on the experience gained in this project.
Children and young people need space to be young, but that space is becoming increasingly scarce in our urbanized Flanders, Brussels, and the Netherlands. There is considerable pressure on space and an imbalance of power in design. We therefore want to create more sustainable (and youth-oriented) space that is (un)organized in such a way that all children and young people can make full use of it, and that they can, are allowed to, and want to help shape it. This is why we are collaborating with the stakeholders to introduce them to the added value of the user perspective of young people and their organizations on (public) space. To achieve this, we provide them with frameworks, good practices, and tools that they can use to design youth-friendly public space with children and young people. These examples can be found in both Flanders and the Netherlands. Different systems have been developed in both countries. We want to use these differences and similarities to create a forum for spatial actors and youth workers. To bring them into contact with each other, across borders. Through study days, inspirational moments, newsletters, and a publication, we will follow up on the exchange to disseminate insights and experiences in Europe.