Giving Youth Participation Real Substance in Savigliano
On 28 June 2025, Savigliano became the meeting point for young changemakers from across the region who wanted something more than another talk about “youth engagement”. Skills 4 Impact, organised by Europiamo within the Connect 4 Impact project, gave participants practical tools they could use straight away, not just ideas that sound good on paper.
The town’s strong civic spirit set the tone. From the start, it was clear this wasn’t a passive training day. It was a working session built around action, participation and genuine collaboration among youth councils, local organisations and motivated young people.
Getting Hands-On With Local Democracy
The morning focused entirely on Participatory Budgeting – not the theory, but the practice. Through a full role-play, participants took on different stakeholder roles and had to negotiate how a fictional municipal budget should be spent.
It was lively, occasionally messy, and exactly what real decision-making looks like. Young people had to argue their case, build consensus and face the reality that not every idea can be funded. That experience did more to strengthen their understanding of democratic processes than any presentation could.
Designing Solutions Through Local Solidarity Projects
The afternoon shifted the spotlight to Local Solidarity Projects. Rather than keeping the conversation high-level, Europiamo facilitators pushed participants to translate local challenges into concrete project ideas.
They worked through a simple structure: identify the problem, outline a solution, decide who needs to be involved, and plan the first steps. This clarity turned vague ambitions into achievable plans – the kind of thinking local communities can actually use.
This session also strengthened connections among participants. By hearing what others face in their towns, they found common ground and the potential for future collaborations.
A Stronger Regional Network Moving Forward
Europiamo ended the day by committing to ongoing support, mentoring and follow-up opportunities. The message was clear: youth participation needs long-term investment, not one-off events. Skills 4 Impact proved that when young people receive practical tools and direct guidance, they’re ready to act.
Savigliano showed exactly why Connect 4 Impact exists: to turn enthusiasm into action, and to help young people step confidently into roles that shape their communities.