No kid-ding! Lublin becomes first Polish city to be named European Capital of Youth
Lublin has been named Poland’s first ever European Youth Capital in recognition of the energy and innovative ideas of its young people and its extensive programme of events.
The title, awarded by an independent international jury from the European Youth Forum, a platform representing over 100 youth organisations across Europe, was given for the city’s “commitment to key values of inclusion, support, tolerance, unity and diversity in their programme.”
Lublin is often dubbed a city of young people because of its high student population which makes up 18 percent of the city’s population and comprises around 60,000 students each year.
Krzysztof Żuk, Mayor of Lublin, said: “We have every reason to celebrate. Our application resulted from a joint effort by many representatives of Lublin’s NGOs, Youth City Council, students, informal youth groups and City Hall employees.
“Lublin needs further unifying and interdisciplinary projects for young people. Cooperation towards creating a youth-friendly city is in line with of our latest priorities for the future development of Lublin.
“Thanks to the efforts and commitment of many, we shall implement a varied programme, full of activities that will make young people’s dreams, passions and aspirations come true…Let’s get started.”
The title, awarded by an independent international jury from the European Youth Forum, was given for the city’s “commitment to key values of inclusion, support, tolerance, unity and diversity in their programme.”
The city’s programme will include 73 large scale events spread across the year into three key thematic areas, ‘The City for Youth’, ‘Youth for the City’ and ‘Youth and the City’.
A large part of the city’s application bid was also focused on the anticipated influence and long-term impact of the title on the city.
Lublin is often dubbed a city of young people because of its high student population which makes up 18 percent of the city’s population and comprises around 60,000 students each year.
Around 6,500 are foreign students attending the city’s nine universities and making Lublin Eastern Poland’s biggest academic centre.
The city’s budget for events as part of the European Youth Capital has been planned at 27 million PLN for the period between 2021-2023 with 13 million PLN alone anticipated for the year 2023.
The European Youth Capital is a title which has been awarded annually since 2009 and the first European Youth Capital was Rotterdam, with other past title holders including Turin, Antwerp, Thessaloniki.
Lublin mayor Krzysztof Żuk said the city had “every reason to celebrate.”
This year’s European Youth Capital is Klaipeda in Lithuania.
Last year Lublin was named Poland’s safest city. Read more here.
