European Youth Capital 2027: We have a winner!
Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto, Giuseppe Verdi and now....European Youth Capital. You guessed it right! Parma has been awarded the European Youth Capital 2027 title. This northern Italian city has really placed young people in the spotlight and it's got big plans for 2027. The theme? Think Italian piazza (square) vibes, but make it modern, inclusive and packed with purpose 🇮🇹
The European Youth Capital "Piazze"
Anyone who has ever been to an Italian piazza knows how these squares are where life happens in every Italian city, town or village alike. They can be big or really small, but what they always have in common is their civic importance. They’re always full of people, debates and late night conversations. That's how Parma took these iconic squares, converted them into a metaphor for youth engagement and won over the jury.
The city is creating eight themed piazze, designed to reflect everything young people said they care about during the earlier stages of the application process. These spaces will focus on four main themes: Youth Participation, Wellbeing & Quality of Life, Culture & Sustainability and Conviviality of Differences. Once Parma's year kicks off these piazze will form the “recipe” to facilitate young people's access to the city.
As Parma's team put it, "these piazze will symbolise meeting places, exchanges, a vibrant social and economic life, openness to others, and political participation."
Driven by young people
Parma’s young residents have been at the centre of this from the start. A Youth Commission—a self-organised group of young people from diverse backgrounds—helped co-design the city’s vision. They’ve shown the power of grassroots collaboration, proving Parma is more than ready to lead the way.
2027 isn’t that far off, so start planning now. Whether you want to explore the piazze or witness firsthand how a city transforms in the hands of young people, this is the place to be.
Ready to experience Parma’s Italian flair? Get your espresso ready—it’s going to be an unforgettable year ☕
Want to know more about the European Youth Capital?
Each year, the European Youth Forum gives a European city the chance to showcase their innovative ideas, projects and activities that aim to strengthen young voices and bring young people’s perspectives to all aspects of city life. Since 2009, over 10,000 events have been held, cities have secured tens of millions in additional funding and over 12,000 volunteers have helped to deliver the projects. Find out more about the title here.
Coming up: Applications for the European Youth Capital 2028
Does your city have what it takes to become the next European Youth Capital? 💪 Stay tuned as the 2028 call will open soon!
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