Youth & The City
Objectives
Encourage municipalities to collaborate with young people to develop sustainable green cities.
Combat environmental issues and climate change.
Empower youth for active citizenship.
Support young people in learning about urban challenges and growing as responsible citizens while working to solve them.
Facilitate youth involvement in civil society activities to contribute positively to the community.
Encourage young people to become more entrepreneurial and embrace an entrepreneurial mindset.
Project Website
Best Practices
The Webinar Series: Four Videos for Young Changemakers
Are you passionate about making your city greener, more innovative, and more inclusive? This webinar series is your complete toolkit, designed to guide you in every step of the way—from a spark of an idea to a fully-realized project that makes a real impact.
We have created a complete learning path to empower young leaders and changemakers. This series will show you how to:
Understand the Concept: First, we lay the foundation by exploring what a “Smart City” truly is, moving beyond technology to focus on sustainability and the vital role of youth participation.
Get Inspired: Next, we showcase real-world “best practices” and innovative case studies from across Europe, providing you with the inspiration and practical examples you need to get started.
Build Your Project: With an idea in mind, we give you a hands-on guide to project writing. You’ll learn the essential steps to structure and write a successful Erasmus+ (KA1) proposal to get your project funded.
Amplify Your Impact: Finally, we make sure your hard work gets seen. You’ll learn the fundamentals of SEO and online visibility to ensure your project can reach the right audience, attract partners, and grow.
This is more than just a collection of videos; it’s a roadmap. Start your journey below and gain the skills to build the future of your community!
Webinar 1
What is a "Smart City”? Find Out in Our First Webinar!
Do you think a “Smart City” is just about technology, sensors, and apps? This webinar invites you to discover a much more human and sustainable vision.
Join us for this introduction to the Smart City concept, where we explore the 5 key pillars that define it—including sustainability, mobility, and inclusion. You’ll see how these principles come to life with real-world examples from the city of Porto, Portugal.
If you’re wondering what role you play in all this, this video is for you! Discover why youth participation is fundamental and how you can become a changemaker in your own community.
Hit play and start transforming your vision for the future of cities!
Webinar 2
From Idea to Action: Best Practices in Smart Green Cities
We’ve explored what a Smart City is… but how do these innovative ideas actually become reality?
This second webinar dives into the “how,” showcasing a diverse range of “best practices” and real-world local innovations. We move from theory to practice, hearing directly from leaders who are making change happen.
From a digital app in Spain built to boost youth political participation to an award-winning “European School” in Romania integrating technology and community, this session is packed with inspiration. You’ll also learn how organizations in North Macedonia are bridging the gap between young people, local government, and businesses.
If you’re ready to see what’s working and get inspired by real case studies, this is the webinar for you!
Webinar 3
Have a Project Idea? Learn How to Make it Happen!
Use this space to introduce yourself or your business to site visitors. Share who you are, what you do, and the purpose of this website. Feel free to include your background, experiences, and any unique aspects that set your business apart. Highlight your mission, values, and the benefits your customers can expect.We’ve explored the “what” and “how” of Smart Cities, but now it’s time to build. This essential webinar is your practical guide to writing a successful Erasmus+ Key Action 1 (KA1) project.
If you have an idea—like promoting zero-waste in schools or boosting media literacy—this session will show you how to turn it into a fundable project.
Learn the vital steps:
How to define your project’s core problem using the “Problem Tree”.
How to set strong, “SMART” objectives that evaluators look for.
How to find the right partners and manage your timeline effectively.
Don’t let a great idea get lost. Watch this webinar and learn the tips and tools you need to write a proposal that gets results!
Webinar 4
Your Project Needs to Be Seen: A Guide to SEO for NGOs
You can have the best Smart City project or NGO, but what’s the point if no one can find it? This final webinar tackles one of the biggest challenges for any organization: online visibility.
This session demystifies SEO (Search Engine Optimization—the process of helping people find your website on Google. You’ll learn why visibility is crucial for attracting donors, volunteers, and partners, and you’ll get a clear, step-by-step guide on how to do it right.
Learn the 7 core aspects of a successful SEO strategy, including:
Finding the right keywords
Creating high-quality content
Building your site’s reputation
The webinar ends with a perfect, practical case study of a “Smart City Valencia” website, showing you exactly how these strategies come together. Don’t miss this essential guide to making your project’s voice heard online!
Youth & the City – Learning Activity in Porto
Three days, six countries, and one smart city to explore!
What happens when 36 young people from Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Italy come together in Porto with one common goal? That’s right: an unforgettable experience full of learning, discovery, and connection!
From April 2nd to 4th, as part of the European project Youth & the City, we embarked on an international journey to explore how we can make our cities more green, smart, and inclusive. Curious to know what we did? Let’s dive in!
Day 1 – April 2nd
Hello Porto, here we go!
The first day kicked off with a warm welcome from our hosts: the Council of Baguim do Monte and Genesis . They set the tone for the adventure ahead with an opening session to introduce the project and all participants.
Then it was time to get moving! We headed out to explore the Gramido area, including the iconic White House and an Environmental Education Center, where we learned about Porto's local traditions and sustainable farming.
After a quick lunch, the highlight of the afternoon was a visit to LIPOR, a leading waste management and recovery company. We got to see their impressive recycling and composting systems — and yes, we even went inside the facilities!
That wrapped up a rich and exciting first day. But the best was yet to come…
Day 2 – April 3rd
Time to test our tech! The second day was all about putting the Youth & the City platform to the test. Participants were split into international teams and each group explored a different content module.
Once the testing was done, we regrouped to share feedback and ideas for improving both the platform and its educational content. So many creative suggestions came out! And after all the hard work? A group visit to Porto's historic center. The perfect ending to the day came in the form of a themed group dinner — complete with a live Fado performance that gave us goosebumps.
Day 3 – April 4th
Wrapping up with games and good vibes!
On our final day, we continued reviewing the platform, this time focusing on the interactive games designed to support smart city learning. Moreover, each team proposed what they consider is the best Smart Green City Solution. Interesting, right?
The whole team came together once more to consolidate everyone's input and ideas for improvements.
To close, we held a final feedback session where participants could reflect on the experience, share their thoughts, and say their goodbyes.
🎉 What did we take away from this experience?
✔️ Real insights into how smart cities work
✔️ Hands-on involvement in shaping an educational platform
✔️ New friends from across Europe
✔️ A suitcase full of memories, photos… and inspiration to keep transforming our cities!