Walk the Future
Youth who have an impact on their community
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Walk the Future was a local project implemented as part of the European Solidarity Corps by an initiative group of young people: Tomek, Pola, Kinga, Kuba, and Gabi. The project was created for young people aged 13-19 from Jedlnia-Letnisko and surrounding towns. Its goal was to create a space where young people could develop their skills, discuss issues important to them, and have a real impact on their local community.
The initiative group independently developed the idea and engaged in the preparation and implementation of activities, demonstrating that young people from smaller towns can also be drivers of local change. The project was implemented under the auspices of the My Future Foundation, which supported the group organizationally, formally, and substantively.
From Decision-Making Walks to Concrete Ideas
One of the key elements of the project was interactive decision-making walks, combining movement, non-formal education, and experiential learning. Participants faced realistic situations, made decisions, explored diverse perspectives, and discussed topics such as ecology, social responsibility, human rights, relationships, solidarity, and civic engagement.
The project didn’t end with these discussions, however. During subsequent workshops, the youth also analyzed the needs of young people in their community and the changes they would like to see in their immediate surroundings. Participants collaboratively developed their ideas and explored which ones could realistically improve the spaces and opportunities available to young people.
The result of this work was the preparation and submission of a letter to local authorities outlining the needs, ideas, and proposed changes from the youth. This allowed participants to experience in practice that civic engagement doesn’t have to end with discussion—their voices can be conveyed directly to those responsible for local community development.
What did Walk the Future teach us?
The project developed future-oriented skills such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, decision-making, and problem-solving. At the same time, it strengthened young people’s sense of agency and encouraged them to actively participate in the life of their community.
Walk the Future demonstrated, above all, that young people don’t have to be mere recipients of activities prepared by adults. They can diagnose needs, propose solutions, speak up, and initiate change.
This was one of the most important outcomes of the project – creating a space where young people from Jedlnia-Letnisko and the surrounding area could experience that their perspectives matter and that local change can begin with them.
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Project number: 2025-3-PL01-ESC30-SOL-000382190
Project title: Walk the Future
Program: European Solidarity Corps
Funded by the EU. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA is responsible for them.