The project “Democracy in Our Hands: Youth Civic Forum” was created as a response to the specific needs and challenges of young people from the Tarnów region and the Małopolska Voivodeship. The main goal of the project was to create the conditions for young people to actively participate in civic, social, and democratic life. The initiative aimed to build a bridge between youth and decision-makers – so that the voice of the younger generation would not only be heard but would also have a real influence on shaping public policy. The project activities were designed to enable young people to engage in meaningful social dialogue and to equip them with the knowledge, tools, and skills necessary to become active participants in their communities. A key goal was also to jointly develop solutions that would help young people fully realize their potential in the areas of education, the labour market, and civic activity. One of the main objectives was to empower young people as capable contributors to local and regional policy-making. We wanted to show that youth – when provided with the right space, knowledge, and support – are able to identify societal needs, formulate proposals, and participate constructively in decision-making processes. Therefore, engaging youth in the entire project cycle – from planning and implementation to evaluation and dissemination – was essential. The project included, among other things, a series of 10 online debates with the participation of young people, decision-makers, and experts, culminating in the development of a set of recommendations for authorities. Another key element was the Youth Academy of Democracy – a four-day civic camp during which participants took part in workshops, discussions, and moderated sessions. They gained knowledge about European values, youth policy, and the functioning of democracy at both local and national levels. An important educational component was the development of a civic education lesson plan, which was distributed to schools and education authorities to support the long-term dissemination of civic awareness. The project also aimed to support the personal development of the participants, enabling them to: - acquire practical communication and organizational skills, - learn teamwork and public moderation, - improve digital, civic, and leadership competencies. By taking an active role in the debates, co-creating recommendations, and engaging with decision-makers, participants developed a sense of co-responsibility for their social environment. The project helped them understand that democracy does not end at the ballot box, but begins with everyday civic engagement. From the perspective of the organiser, another important goal was to strengthen cross-sector cooperation – between youth, NGOs, local governments, and educational institutions. We wanted to demonstrate that youth participation should not be merely symbolic, but can genuinely shape policy at various levels. Finally, the project also had an educational and promotional dimension. Through the recording of debates, educational materials, and outreach activities, the results reached a much wider audience than just the direct participants. In this way, the project contributed to the development of an active, informed civil society and the promotion of democratic values among young people and their communities.