Young people expressed a strong willingness to be involved in their communities, but they face significant barriers that prevent them from engaging.

Motivations for Participation:

• Making new friends and expanding social circles
• Meeting and engaging with interesting people
• Contributing to the community and making an impact
• Receiving certificates that could support future education or career paths
• Enjoying simple incentives such as food (e.g., pizza and snacks)

Challenges in Community Engagement:

• Social barriers – Some participants hesitate to join activities where they might encounter people they dislike, particularly schoolmates.
• Lack of transportation – In urban areas, buses are unreliable, while in rural areas, transportation is almost nonexistent, especially on weekends when activities are more accessible.
• Parental restrictions – Many parents only allow their children to participate in school-related activities, limiting exposure to broader community projects.
• Limited communication on events – Most activities are shared through schools, teachers, or student councils, but this leaves out many young people who are not in these networks.
• Unwelcoming experiences – Some participants reported that when they previously tried to join community activities, they felt criticized or undervalued by organizers.

These insights underline the need for better outreach methods, inclusive event planning, and improved accessibility for young people in rural areas.

Intergenerational Connections – How do young people see seniors?

One of the main themes of our project is fostering intergenerational engagement, yet many young participants expressed reluctance.

Concerns about connecting with seniors:

• Many associate seniors with illness or the need for care, rather than as active community members.
• Some believe seniors would not be interested in participating in events.
• There is a perception that older generations, particularly in rural areas, have a very low level of education and might not have much to share.

Despite these hesitations, the participants showed interest in learning from seniors, but only if the activities were interactive and enjoyable.

Activities young people would join:

• Cooking together – Sharing traditional recipes and preparing meals
• Traditional crafts – Embroidery, knitting, and other local handcrafts
• Storytelling sessions – Learning about past experiences, love stories, and local history
• Board games and social activities – Chess, rummy, backgammon, or traditional childhood games
• Home visits – Engaging in small supportive tasks for seniors
• Cultural and artistic collaborations – Theater performances, dance, and community events

Participants were particularly enthusiastic about cooking workshops and activities that allow for a mutual exchange of skills, rather than only providing support to seniors.

What young people want to learn from seniors – and what they can teach?

The discussion also highlighted an opportunity for mutual learning, where both generations could benefit from the exchange of knowledge and skills.

Skills young people would like to learn from seniors:

• Traditional agriculture and beekeeping
• Handicrafts and traditional craftsmanship
• Cooking and preserving traditional recipes
• Local myths, legends, and folklore
• Unique pastimes, such as knife-throwing techniques

Skills young people can share with seniors:

• Basic digital skills – Sending messages, making video calls, taking photos
• Online safety – Identifying scams, recognizing AI-generated content, and avoiding fake news
• Digital banking – Managing online payments and transactions

This two-way learning process can help break stereotypes about both age groups and encourage deeper intergenerational connections.

Challenges in creating an inclusive community

Participants also shared their thoughts on what makes a community truly inclusive and why it is sometimes difficult for young people to feel part of local initiatives.

Common Struggles:

• Feeling dismissed or not taken seriously by adults in public institutions (e.g., schools, hospitals, local authorities)
• Difficulty engaging with older students in high school, where social hierarchies make integration hard
• Experiencing bullying based on clothing or personal choices at formal events
• Feeling restricted by traditional attitudes that do not allow full self-expression
• Lack of accessible sports and social spaces, leaving young people with limited places to gather

These discussions emphasized that an inclusive community must provide spaces where young people feel heard, respected, and able to contribute without judgment.

What’s next in the project?

The insights gained from this focus group will shape the next phases of our project. Moving forward, we will:

✅ Conduct additional focus groups in Italy and Germany to compare challenges and perspectives across different countries.
✅ Develop an inclusive framework that addresses young people’s needs and supports their engagement in community life.
✅ Plan and test intergenerational activities based on the interests expressed in this session.
✅ Organize community regeneration activities that create real opportunities for young people to be involved in local projects.

This is just the beginning of Include, Connect & Re-Generate! The voices of young people will continue to guide our efforts as we work toward stronger, more connected communities across Europe.

📢 Follow our journey and stay updated on upcoming activities!