Roundtable in Olsztynek as part of the D-Effect project - joint planning of the Youth Democracy Festival

In Olsztynek, a meeting was held as part of the D-Effect project dedicated to preparations for the Youth Democratic Festival (YDF). Young people, representatives of public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and local communities worked together on the concept of the event, identifying the needs of young residents and developing proposals for activities and program elements. The meeting was conducted in the form of a Round Table and formed part of the process of strengthening intergenerational dialogue in the municipality of Olsztynek.

Joint work on the YDF concept
The event in Olsztynek was implemented within the D-Effect project, which aims to develop youth participation mechanisms and create spaces for co-decision-making on local matters.
The meeting focused on preparing the assumptions for the Youth Democratic Festival. Participants analyzed what type of event would respond to the needs of young people, which topics should be included, and what forms of activity could increase engagement within the local community.

Youth voice and diagnosis of local needs
The first part of the meeting was dedicated to the work of young people from Olsztynek. Participants identified elements that are important for their daily life in the town, as well as areas requiring change or further development. Young participants then developed proposals for the Youth Democratic Festival, indicating possible activities, thematic directions, and solutions that, in their view, should be included in the event programme.

Perspective of institutions and local partners
The second part of the meeting brought together representatives of public institutions, non-governmental organizations, educational units, and local social initiatives. Based on the youth’s conclusions and proposals, the feasibility of implementing individual ideas was analyzed, and the potential contribution of partners to the future YDF was discussed.
The discussion focused on combining institutional experience with the perspectives of young residents and building a coherent event programme based on cooperation.

Key areas of work
During the meeting, particular attention was paid to identifying the needs of young people in the municipality of Olsztynek, defining possible themes and formats of the Youth Democratic Festival, designing activities engaging different social groups, and strengthening cooperation between youth, institutions, and local organizations.
The meeting created a space for direct dialogue and joint development of solutions based on local resources and experiences.

Next stages
The developed proposals will be discussed again at the next Round Table in Olsztynek, scheduled for the summer period. Based on them, the programme of the Youth Democratic Festival will be developed as a result of joint work between young people and local partners.
The event was attended by representatives of, among others, the Municipal Office in Olsztynek, Mayor of Olsztynek Robert Waraksa, members of the Municipal Council, School and Preschool Complex in Waplewo, OSP Olsztynek, Start Olsztynek – Club for People with Disabilities, Senior Council in Olsztynek, Active Municipality initiative, Association “Po godzinach,” Municipal Social Welfare Center in Olsztynek, Mayor’s Plenipotentiary for Prevention, University of the Third Age, Municipal Library in Olsztynek, Association of People with Diabetes, and students from schools in the municipality of Olsztynek.

About the D-Effect project
The D-Effect project supports the development of youth civic participation tools, including Round Tables and Youth Democratic Festivals (YDF). Its aim is to strengthen cooperation between young residents, public institutions, and social organizations in local decision-making processes.