Youth Space

Summary:The project aims to preserve and revitalize the cultural heritage of rural cross-border communities in the HUSKROUA region by combining youth engagement, intercultural dialogue, and the creation of sustainable cultural spaces. The initiative brings together intangible heritage, digital cultural creativity, and community-driven placemaking projects co-developed by residents, local authorities, youth, artists, and entrepreneurs.
Objectives:
Empower youth in the processes of cultural preservation and reinterpretation
Improve access to culture in rural cross-border areas
Establish sustainable, community-managed cultural “places” as centers of shared identity
Foster intercultural dialogue and exchange between participating communities
Launch a transnational heritage revival model based on youth participation and co-design
Target Groups:
Youth aged 15–35 from border villages
Local residents and municipal employees
Artists, architects, designers, facilitators
NGOs working in culture, heritage, and youth engagement
Cultural institutions and local heritage actors
Key Activities:
Heritage and Cultural Space Mapping
Youth and communities document intangible heritage: stories, crafts, traditions, rituals, recipes.
Simultaneously, communities in each country identify potential “spaces for change” to be transformed.
Youth and Cultural Camps
Each country hosts a camp involving intercultural exchange, workshops, and field research.
The program includes media training, storytelling, architectural design, and local history.
Art Residencies and Learning Hubs
Artists and facilitators lead workshops with youth and local residents.
Topics: creative heritage documentation, urbanism, collaboration between authorities and citizens.
Development of "Change Scenarios"
Interdisciplinary teams design concepts for public space transformation, event programs, and co-management models.
Implementation of Local Pilot Projects
Each country carries out at least one pilot initiative (e.g., restoration of a mill, town square, workshop, or cultural center).
Digital Heritage Archive
Creation of a multilingual online platform with stories, images, videos, and maps accessible to the public.
Public Art Actions and Cultural Festivals
Installations, performances, audio walks, and cultural festivals to showcase the results.
Presentation of the “Borderland Youth Cultural Manifesto” — a vision of the region’s cultural future, shaped by the young participants.
Expected Results:
4 pilot restored cultural spaces in borderland villages (one per participating country)
1 transnational digital archive of intangible heritage
300+ young people engaged in project activities
20+ local partners involved (municipalities, NGOs, educational institutions)
Strengthened intercultural cooperation and integration of heritage initiatives into educational and tourism networks