Our primary objective was to document and analyse how and why cultural centres succeed in creating strong youth environments and communities that promote well-being, inclusion, and active citizenship. Specific objectives included: • Cross-learning and knowledge exchange: To bring together five cultural centres with different approaches to youth work, enabling us to learn from each other's methods and experiences across Denmark, Norway, and Estonia. • Evidence-based documentation: To create clearly document insights demonstrating that youth communities formed in creative, free, and democratic frameworks at cultural centres are effective platforms for inclusion, diversity, and citizenship development. • Identifying best practices: To map concrete methods, barriers, and success factors in working with young people aged 15-25, particularly those interested in cultural production, entrepreneurship, and activism. • Strengthening partnerships: To position cultural centres as serious, credible partners for municipalities, job centres, and public organisations by providing documented insights into our impact. • Creating transferable knowledge: To develop insights and tools.
We applied for this project to address the growing mental health crisis among young people across Europe. Studies show increasing numbers feel marginalised, paralysed, and struggle to navigate society due to social media pressures, climate anxiety, performance pressure in education, and lack of practical, hands-on learning opportunities. As five cultural centres across Denmark, Norway, and Estonia, we recognised our unique position: we enjoy high levels of trust among young people and offer low-threshold, accessible platforms where marginalised youth can find community and creative expression. The project addressed three key needs: Documentation and evidence: To clearly demonstrate that youth communities created in creative, democratic frameworks at cultural centres effectively foster inclusion, diversity, and active citizenship. Knowledge sharing: To exchange our diverse approaches—from employment collaborations to entrepreneurship support to peer-led education—and learn from each other's experiences across borders. Positioning as serious partners: To provide evidence that enables us to position ourselves as credible collaboration partners for municipalities, public sectors, and others.