For the City of Lublin, Europe Goes Local has been much more than a network or a project. It has been a community of people who believe that young people matter and that local action can create real European change. Through EGL, we have learned how to strengthen the quality of youth work, develop youth spaces, and build a more systemic and participatory approach to youth policy. We found partners who were willing to share their knowledge, experiences, successes, and challenges. We discovered that no city needs to work alone and that together we can achieve much more than we ever could individually.
As the European Youth Capital 2023, Lublin had the privilege of hosting the first joint Europe Goes Local and Democracy Reloading meeting in Poland. Welcoming local governments, NGOs, and youth workers from across the country was an inspiring experience. The conversations, study visits, and exchange of ideas confirmed that investing in young people is one of the most important investments a city can make.
For us, EGL was also a spark for broader change. It inspired cooperation that contributed to the creation of the National Coalition for Youth Work and supported the first steps towards recognising youth work as an important and valued field in Poland.
What we appreciate most is that EGL gave us confidence. Confidence to share our local experiences with Europe, but also confidence to speak up about the needs, challenges, and aspirations of our young people. Through this cooperation, we have learned that local voices matter and that even from the local level we can help shape European discussions and solutions so that they better serve communities across the continent.
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Europe Goes Local, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has contributed to this journey. Thank you for your openness, trust, inspiration, and partnership. We wish EGL many more years of connecting people, strengthening communities, and empowering young people. May the next decade be just as courageous, collaborative, and impactful as the first.
Because thanks to Europe Goes Local, Europe is much closer than we ever imagined.
Agnieszka Parol-Górna
Coordinator of Lublin EYC 2023
Director of Youth Policy Office in Lublin
Read more about Lublin as the European Youth Capital in 2023:
Highlights of the program Lublin European Youth Capital 2023
The website of Lublin European Youth Capital 2023
The Facebook page of Lublin EYC 2023