Slaaaaay City: Young people transforming Lviv
"Slaaaaay City" isn’t just Gen Z slang, it represents a new vision of a city created by young people, for young people. A place where transformation isn’t just about changing the urban environment, but about creating opportunities and inclusivity for everyone. In Lviv, European Youth Capital 2025, young people are at the heart of this transformation, and their energy is shaping the city’s present and future.
But who is behind these changes? What are the young people of Lviv doing to make "Slaaaaay City" a reality? This is a story about those who are not afraid to take action.
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Strategy as a first step
Picture this: a group of people sits together, the conversation is about the implementation of the European Youth Capital 2025 title. But they’re not just discussing ideas—they’re taking decisions. About education, mental health, civic engagement and state support. About how the city should work for them.
The Lviv Youth Strategy for 2035 is the first plan of its kind in Ukraine, created by young people themselves. It’s a ten-year commitment to real change, shaped by those who will experience it. It focuses on what truly matters: support for youth initiatives, better opportunities for young people, and public spaces that are inclusive and accessible. That’s how Slaaaaay City was born.
Young people are the heart of Lviv
To better understand this transformation, we meet Nataliia Kostyk and Oksana Kit, two urbanism students and passionate youth ambassadors of the European Youth Capital 2025. Ambassadors like Nataliia and Oksana are the driving force behind this change. They spark new ideas, and turn Lviv’s vision of the European Youth Capital into something real.
"As a student of urbanism, I am very pleased that making the city more accessible is becoming more popular among young people. It’s not just theory – it’s a real opportunity to change the environment around you," says Nataliia. Together with a public organisation, she has already implemented a grant project where they focused on temporary housing solutions for internally displaced people in one of the districts of Lviv, creating a platform for dialogue about urban space. Now, as part of the Youth Strategy, she wants to get involved in more projects like this.
"I realised that I could influence the city when I received the grant and, together with my team, improved the environment of the settlement for internally displaced persons,” adds Oksana. “That's when I realised that young people don't just talk about change, they make it happen. And when the city is built without barriers, it's comfortable for everyone. But first, we must convince people that inclusivity is not a luxury, but a necessity here and now".
The pulse of the city
Thanks to the European Youth Capital title, Lviv has started to make changes that respond directly to the needs of young people. This change is already visible in the increased activity in youth centres, the development of public spaces, and the expansion of the network of youth initiatives.
Nataliia and Oksana’s visions for Lviv’s urban spaces capture the collective energy of the city’s young people. Nataliia dreams of renovating the square in front of the Dovzhenko Centre in Sykhiv (a district of Lviv), bringing the fountain back to life and turning the space into a real meeting point for people. Oksana, on the other hand, sees great potential in the squares in front of the Lviv Polytechnic and the Ivan Franko National University of Lviv. These spaces, she believes, could become hubs for youth initiatives and a gathering place for the city’s young people. These are just glimpses of the ideas and the transformation taking place, and they’re driven by young people who are committed to creating spaces that are not only functional but meaningful.
From the perspective of local activists to everyday young people, there’s a shared sense that Lviv is evolving into a city where young people can truly thrive. The changes might seem small now, but they are setting the stage for an inclusive, youth-oriented city that will continue to grow and adapt.
What’s next for Lviv?
Looking ahead, Lviv’s journey is far from over. The Lviv Youth Strategy for 2035 will continue to guide the city’s transformation, and young people will be the driving force behind it. For Nataliia and Oksana, this is just the beginning. “This process will not stop [...] the changes are becoming irreversible,” says Nataliia, with a sense of determination. Oksana adds that, “The ideal Lviv of 2035 is a city where young people want to stay, not leave. A place where everyone feels comfortable, with equal opportunities for all.”
As Lviv moves forward, the momentum generated by the European Youth Capital title will continue to grow. For young people across Europe, Lviv offers a unique opportunity to engage, collaborate, and be part of a movement that is transforming a city into a model of youth-led urban development.
What can young people do to get involved?
As Nataliia and Oksana suggest, it’s all about getting involved—support your city, network with other young people, participate in youth events, and contribute ideas.
"Slaaaaay City" is not just a concept, but a reality being created by young people. Lviv’s transformation into “Slaaaaay City” is happening right now!
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