From conversation to change: the European Youth Capital’s Policy Labs

Tromsø already has strong structures for youth participation, from legally mandated youth councils in every municipality to strong youth organisations affiliated with major political parties. But these opportunities don’t work equally well for every young person. Formal political spaces can be difficult to access,  and less formal conversations between young people and decision makers are nowhere near enough.

The European Youth Capital, as True North has been imagining and developing it, is creating more opportunities for these more accessible conversations to happen. One of them is the Policy Labs, where young people, politicians and decision-makers sit at the same table to discuss and debate some of the most important issues facing young people in Tromsø and the wider region. 

Five policy labs have already taken place, with four more to come.

Young people bring first-hand experiences of what it is like to be young in Tromsø. Politicians and decision-makers bring knowledge of how the municipality works, what is already being done and what may be possible within existing frameworks. By putting these perspectives together, the aim is to develop solutions that are both relevant to young people and realistic to implement.

When discussing inclusive communities and youth participation, young people pointed to barriers that can make it harder to take part. These include the cost of activities, a lack of information and the difficulty of finding accessible ways to participate in public debate. At the same time, the discussions highlighted the many ways young people already contribute to life in Tromsø, through their organisations, creative activities and communities.

Across the different topics, a common message has emerged: young people want to help shape the places where they live, and they want their participation to lead somewhere.

A Policy Lab does not end when the participants leave the room.

The ideas and proposed recommendations generated across the ten labs will form the foundation of Tromsø’s first dedicated Youth Strategy. The strategy will turn the knowledge gathered throughout the Policy Lab process into a political framework for the years ahead, well beyond Tromso’s Youth Capital year, giving the municipality a clear responsibility to follow up on the priorities identified by young people.

The Policy Labs will continue throughout autumn, with topics ranging from the future of work and resilient youth to the student experience in Tromsø, young Sámi identity and international collaboration.

There are still many conversations to be held, and many more ideas to turn into action.