SPACE for Youth training in Ireland launches podcast initiative

From 23 to 28 February 2026, 23 young people from Ireland, Spain, Portugal, Bulgaria, France and Hungary gathered in Dublin for the KA3 SPACE Media Literacy & Podcast Creation Training, the first international activity of the SPACE for Youth project, organised by Ballyfermot gençlik hizmeti (Ireland).

The training aimed to strengthen young people’s media literacy, critical thinking and digital communication skills, while preparing them to become active contributors to democratic participation in their communities. Through practical workshops and intercultural collaboration, participants explored how media can be used to amplify youth voices and advance EU Youth Goal 9 – Space & Participation for All.

The activity brought together young participants from diverse backgrounds, along with a trainer from STOMP Social Media Training Ltd, a facilitator, and a project reporter, creating a dynamic learning environment where participants could experiment, collaborate, and learn from one another.

Building trust and sharing perspectives

The first day of the training focused on group-building activities designed to create a safe and open environment. Through energisers, interactive exercises and non-formal learning games, participants quickly moved beyond initial hesitations and began building trust within the group.

These activities helped participants understand different communication styles, cultural perspectives and group dynamics. They also encouraged everyone to step outside their comfort zones and actively engage in discussions.

As conversations unfolded, participants began sharing their experiences of youth participation in their own communities. While some described opportunities for young people to be involved in decision-making, others spoke about barriers such as limited access to information, lack of inclusive spaces, or feeling that their voices are not always taken seriously.

These discussions helped participants connect their personal experiences to the broader objectives of the project and provided context for exploring EU Youth Goal 9, which aims to strengthen youth participation and democratic engagement across Europe.

From discussion to creation

After laying the foundations of media literacy and digital awareness, the training quickly shifted towards practical learning.

During the following days, participants worked in national groups to develop podcast concepts linked to youth participation and democratic engagement. This structure was intentionally designed to support the next phase of the project, where participants will continue working together in their home countries.

Each group developed its own podcast concept, identifying target audiences and defining the themes they wanted to explore. Participants designed episode structures, prepared interview questions and assigned roles within their teams such as host, interviewer, contributor and technical editor.

The training also introduced participants to the technical aspects of podcast production. Through hands-on exercises, they learned how to use recording equipment, practise microphone techniques and conduct engaging interviews. They also experimented with editing tools such as Audacity, learning how to cut recordings, adjust sound levels, add intro and outro segments and prepare audio files for publication.

Rather than aiming for perfection, the emphasis was placed on building confidence and practical skills. Some participants arrived with previous experience in podcasting or digital media production, while others were speaking into a microphone for the very first time. The training allowed both groups to learn from each other, often creating moments of peer support where more experienced participants shared tips and helped others navigate the technical process.

Learning across cultures

One of the strongest outcomes of the training was the sense of collaboration that quickly emerged within the group. Despite coming from six different countries and diverse cultural backgrounds, participants developed strong working relationships and openly exchanged perspectives on youth participation.

These conversations often revealed both similarities and differences in how young people experience democratic engagement across Europe. In some contexts, participants described structured youth councils or consultation processes. In others, they expressed frustration about limited opportunities to influence decisions affecting their communities.

By discussing these experiences together, participants gained a deeper understanding of how participation can take different forms and why creating inclusive spaces for youth engagement remains a shared challenge across Europe.

The next step: youth-led podcasts

While the training provided the tools and foundations for podcast creation, the real work begins after participants return home.

Each national group will now continue meeting locally to conduct youth-led research on Youth Goal 9 – Space & Participation for All. They will engage with local stakeholders such as youth organisations, community groups and decision-makers, and transform their findings into podcast episodes.

By June 2026, each partner country will produce three podcast episodes, resulting in a total of 18 youth-led podcasts across the project.

These podcasts will explore themes such as youth participation, active citizenship, media literacy and democratic engagement, while highlighting the perspectives and experiences of young people in different communities.

A starting point for future conversations

Beyond developing technical skills, the training helped participants recognise the potential of media as a tool for democratic participation.

By learning how to ask questions, conduct interviews and share stories, young people gained confidence in using their voices to address issues that matter to them.

As the project moves forward, the podcasts produced by participants will contribute to broader conversations about youth participation across Europe, creating space for young people to reflect on their communities, challenge existing structures and propose new ideas.

For many participants, the training in Dublin marked not just the beginning of a podcast series but the beginning of a process where young people actively shape the conversations that affect their lives.

And in many ways, that is where the real impact of the project begins.

The SPACE for Youth project is coordinated by Cazalla kültürlerarası (Spain) and implemented in partnership with Ballyfermot gençlik hizmeti (Ireland), Pistes Solidaires (Fransa için) Fekete Sereg Ifjúsági Egyesület (Hungary), Сдружение Възможности без граници/ Infinite Opportunities Association (Bulgaria) and DYPALL Network, funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.