Young people play a vital role in shaping cities through placemaking. However, many youth-led initiatives isolated projects, struggling to influence the institutions, policies, and systems that shape urban life. This interactive workshop explores how local experiments can inspire lasting change across cities and communities. Drawing on experiences from the Safe and Sound Cities (S²Cities) Programme in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, participants will learn how local interventions can influence not just physical spaces, but also governance, partnerships, and urban policy. The session features practical tools and real-world case studies to encourage group reflection and spark new ideas. Participants will use urban game methods and stakeholder mapping to discover how experimentation and co-creation serve as effective, accessible tools for influencing policy and placemaking. Examples from participating cities will show how youth initiatives have led to valuable, participatory outcomes. By linking local experiences with lessons from a global community, this session equips participants with strategies to identify leverage points, build alliances, and strengthen the impact of youth-led placemaking for systemic urban change.
