The finale of the MyPolis project: international youth shaping civic attitudes in Portugal
On October 16-18, 2025, the Portuguese city of Torres Novas hosted the final event of the international MyPolis project. The aim of the meeting, organized by the project leader, Associacao Discurso Paralelo from Portugal, was to shape civic attitudes among young people from different European countries.
Poland was represented by a group of eight young people from the General Education School Complex in Zelów, accompanied by two teachers and a representative of the Local Action Group “Dolina rzeki Grabi”, as well as a group of students and teachers from the General Education School Complex in Łask-Kolumna, representing the Municipality of Łask. For three days, participants from different European countries shared their experiences, learned about local culture, and worked on solutions that could have a real impact on improving the quality of life in their communities.
The first day of the event was devoted to integration and cultural exchange. A cultural evening, prepared by participants from different countries, provided an opportunity to present traditional cuisine, music, and national dances. The participants’ shared enjoyment and openness helped to break down language barriers and created a friendly atmosphere for further cooperation.
The following day, the young people presented their previously prepared projects, showcasing local initiatives undertaken for the benefit of the community. However, the highlight of the program was the Guardians of the City field educational game, during which teams developed innovative ideas for improving local infrastructure while getting to know the city of Torres Novas. The culmination of the day’s activities was the presentation of models illustrating the solutions proposed by the participants, which they believed should be implemented in the city. This was followed by a joint discussion during which young people and local decision-makers analyzed the possibility of implementing the proposed solutions. The young people actively participated in the debate, demonstrating maturity, creativity, and great social commitment.
The ceremonial conclusion of the event was graced by a concert by the parish choir, which created a unique atmosphere of joint celebration of the results of cooperation within the MyPolis project.
The young people’s participation in the project was not only an opportunity to gain new experiences and develop civic skills, but also to make international friends and gain a deeper understanding of what active participation in social life means.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to Mr. Bernardo Goncalves and the entire team at Associacao Discurso Paraleloza for their extremely warm welcome, professional organization, and inspiring exchange of experiences.