On November 29–30, 2025, the first Youth Forum entitled “A Region for the Young” took place in the building of the Regional and Research Library in Liberec. A total of 54 participants aged 14 to 26, working in facilitated groups and through debate, identified and articulated the issues that concern young people in the Liberec Region. These issues, along with proposed solutions, were subsequently presented to and discussed with local, regional, and national politicians from the region. The aim of the event was not only to find out what troubles young people in the Liberec Region and how they would like to address it, but also to examine whether deliberation and peer debate strengthen young people’s sense of representation and their confidence in their ability to participate in public affairs.
The event was organized by the Institute of Political Studies of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University (IPS FSV UK), in cooperation with the AUTHLIB – Neo-authoritarianisms in Europe and the Liberal Democratic Response project, the Commission for the Future of the Liberec Region, the City of Liberec, and Participation Factory. In total, 54 young people took part, expressing an interest in discussing the issues that concern them with their peers and subsequently proposing their own solutions to key problems to attending politicians. “We are very pleased that so many young people have a genuine interest in having their voices heard. Many of the participants were primary and secondary school students from different parts of the Liberec Region. This allows us to gain a very good understanding of what they consider important not only in Liberec as the regional capital, but also in more remote areas,” explained political scientist Petra Guasti from IPS FSV UK, principle investigator of the AUTHLIB project, who is responsible for the overall coordination of the research.
Already in September, Liberec hosted the so-called Forum of Ideological Opponents, where researchers measured changes in attitudes on one nationwide and more general topic—migration—and one regional issue—traffic calming in the city center. One of the main findings was that Liberec residents are far more polarized on the regional issue and are therefore less willing to adjust their positions even in the face of deliberation. “Participation should be at the center of our attention in this complex time, when we find ourselves at multiple political, value-based, and technological crossroads. I am very glad that the entire team led by Petra Guasti is succeeding in this,” said Petr Jüptner, Director of IPS FSV UK, who attended the event in person. The overall atmosphere was very calm, with young participants showing a strong effort to seek consensus.
The forum took place over two days. On the first day, participants discussed—through participatory workshops—which topics interested them most and what they would like to improve in the selected areas. On the second day, they worked in thematic groups to prepare presentations, which they then presented to politicians who came to listen to their views and discuss them with the young participants.
Preparation of topics
On the first day, participants were divided into groups based on a selection questionnaire. “It was crucial to ensure gender and age balance, as well as to avoid grouping together only very well-informed or very poorly informed young people,” explained political scientist Guasti. The workshops were led by experienced facilitators from Participation Factory.
The outcome of the first day of deliberation and in-depth debates was the identification of five key topics that concern active young people in the Liberec Region the most: transport, culture, leisure activities, education, and the teaching of politics in schools.
Debate with politicians
On the second day, participants prepared presentations which they then presented to politicians who came to hear their views. In addition to the young participants and facilitators, those invited to the debates included Liberec city councilor Matyáš Moc (SLK), Liberec Region councillor for education and sport Jitka Skalická (SLK), regional assembly members Tina Honsejková (ODS) and Markéta Červinková (SLK), and newly elected Member of Parliament Lucie Bartošová (ODS). In their presentations and subsequent debates with politicians, young people addressed several key issues—from the poor condition of city parks in Liberec, through the lack of night public transport connections, to insufficient qualifications of some teaching staff.
“The whole event was very important and beneficial. We need to talk with young people about what concerns and interests them, as well as about the areas in which they want to realize themselves. I am taking away many points that I want to follow up on or pass on further,” summarized MP Bartošová immediately after the debate. “I learned a lot of interesting things. At the same time, it is feedback for me. Many things are already being done, but I perceive that awareness of them is not as high as it could be,” added councilor Moc, noting that he would welcome greater support from the city for similar initiatives.
Liberec already participates in comparable participatory activities—it has been implementing a participatory budgeting project for several years and regularly hosts civic consultations where citizens can raise objections beyond formal city council meetings. Creating space for young people to participate in public affairs would be an important contribution to these activities. The premises of the Regional and Research Library, whose director Dana Petrýdesová supported the event and provided a welcoming environment for young people and politicians to discuss public governance, proved to be a very suitable venue for such initiatives.
