Study visit “Youth Engagement for Better Communities”

From 8th to 11th April 2025,  DYPALL Network organised the study visit “Youth Engagement for Better Communities” in Portimão, Portugal. The activity brought together youth workers and local representatives to explore effective strategies for engaging young people in small communities.

The visit focused on how municipalities and youth organisations in the Algarve region are creating strategic opportunities for youth participation and community involvement. By visiting a variety of local actors, the participants were able to examine different models and practices that contribute to inclusive and active youth citizenship.

The programme began with a visit to Loja Ponto Já, where the work that has been done at DYPALL Network was presented, offering participants an overview of the organisation’s approach to strengthening youth participation at the local level through cooperation between municipalities and youth organisations. Afterwards, the following session was about the space itself, since Loja Ponto Já serves as a youth point and a dynamic space for youth-led activities, information and dialogue. Participants learned how the space functions both as a support mechanism for local youth activities and as a central meeting point where young people can engage in civic and social life.

The visit to MOJU, a youth association based in Olhão, highlighted a different dimension of youth work, with a strong focus on community intervention, social inclusion, and non-formal education. The exchange allowed participants to understand how grassroots initiatives can drive practical change, particularly in contexts of social vulnerability, where municipal intervention is harder to reach.

Finally, a visit to Teia D’Impulsos, an organisation based in Portimão working across social, cultural, and sports domains, offered a practical example of how multidisciplinary approaches can strengthen community bonds and promote active citizenship.

Throughout the study visit, the group was able to meet with representatives from the Municipalities of Portimão, Faro, Olhão, Lagoa, and Silves, each showcasing their different strategies to support youth participation in diverse territorial realities, from coastal urban centres to smaller inland towns. These moments gave the participants the ability to reflect on how the different settings shape different difficulties in the role of municipal support when it comes to empowering young people.

The study visit created a valuable platform for exchanging knowledge, experiences, and inspiration around youth participation in small-scale contexts. By witnessing different local approaches in action, participants left with concrete ideas and renewed motivation to implement participatory practices in their communities.

The activity was organised by DYPALL Network in collaboration with Vedogiovane and co-funded by the European Union.