On Thursday, May 14, 2026, representatives of the Maribor Youth Advisory Body met with Deputy Mayor Davorka Pregl to present the results of the pilot project OUT4INGOV.
The pilot project, which ran from January to May 2026, allowed young people to actively participate in understanding and shaping local policies. Through four workshops, participants:
- mapped youth priorities, highlighting housing policy, accessible public infrastructure, and employment as the most important topics;
- learned about the workings of municipal administration and budgeting, and how to substantiate good ideas at the budgetary and institutional level;
- prepared a proposal for the 2027-2028 participatory budget, which includes a dedicated fund under the principle “youth for youth” and the inclusion of young temporary residents;
- tested the municipal digital application “Our Maribor,” providing concrete suggestions for improvements, particularly regarding simplified language and protecting user anonymity;
- explored advocacy and deliberative democracy in discussions with municipal youth policy representatives;
- and examined the needs of others and the opportunities offered by volunteering for personal and community development, as exemplified by Slovenian Philanthropy.
An independent international evaluation of the project confirmed that this approach strengthens young people’s political literacy and provides the municipality with direct insight into their needs. The pilot project demonstrates that young people are not only being heard but are becoming equal partners actively co-creating the future of the city of Maribor.
