On December 4–5, we had the opportunity to visit Bardejov, Slovakia, with the support of the Carpathian Foundation, in cooperation with Mladí filantropi and the Bardejov Youth Parliament. These two youth organizations have long worked to ensure that local young people are active participants in the city’s life. For us, it was a great experience to see up close how this works in a smaller town.
From the very first day, it was clear that both organizations play a key role in Bardejov’s youth life. They organize their own events, participate in city programs, and work with many active young people aged 14–18. What was particularly inspiring for us was that the youth here are not just “participants.” They initiate activities, run clubs, implement ideas, and clearly take responsibility for shaping the community life of the city.
The Young Philanthropists team manages a grant program (based on the youth bank method) that provides financial support to young people with ideas to enrich city life. The members handle fundraising, communication, event organization, and media-related tasks, while gaining new skills and building community experiences. This “youth for youth” approach makes philanthropy tangible in practice.
The City Youth Parliament is a youth-led advisory body that represents the interests of Bardejov’s young people in municipal decision-making. Its members actively participate in local public life: reviewing proposed city programs, developing suggestions and projects, and organizing their own actions, such as campaigns, events, or community initiatives. Their goal is to ensure that young people’s voices truly matter and that they actively shape local decisions. This kind of partnership is a great example of how a municipality can work together with its youth.
Our hosts guided us through the youth clubs and several city venues where events like concerts, showcases, and community programs are regularly held. We also saw the “Wall of Fame,” a project dreamed up and executed by local youth, a tangible example of the power of collaborative creation.
On the second day, we visited the Bastion Cultural Center with Veronika, a staff member of the Bardejov Community Foundation. The seven-story building houses a café, a theater hall, smaller exhibition spaces, and an outdoor terrace. Although several areas are still under renovation, Veronika explained that every new space will serve a community purpose.
A special experience was joining in the preparations for the upcoming Christmas market. At this time, the two youth organizations run their own booth, selling handmade items for a donation. This provides young people with opportunities for creative expression and community responsibility.
Key Takeaways
During these two days, we saw many practices and attitudes that were truly inspiring:
- Young people who have real decision-making power,
- Strong partnerships between civil organizations and city leadership,
- Youth-initiated projects leaving a lasting mark on the city.
This visit reinforced our belief that there is huge potential in the young people of Szécsény, and that well-functioning partnerships can create real change.
We are grateful for the hospitality and the engaging programs. We hope this relationship continues to grow and that together we can share even more good practices in the future.
