What happens when young people are given the opportunity to shape their communities? In Jammerbugt, Denmark, youth participation goes beyond councils and consultations, taking place in sports associations, community projects and everyday local life.
This interactive StoryMap explores three examples of youth participation in Jammerbugt, named Denmark’s Youth Municipality of the Year in 2024. From young skateboarders helping design a new skatepark to teenagers taking charge of their local sports association’s social media and shaping investments in community spaces, the stories show how young people can make a tangible difference when given the opportunity.
The case also highlights challenges relevant to municipalities across the Nordic Region. Young people’s involvement often depends on adults opening doors, their influence rarely extends to budgets and formal decisions, and feedback on their contributions is not always guaranteed. It raises an important question: How can local authorities move beyond simply involving young people to giving them meaningful and lasting influence?
This publication is part of the Young and Rooted: Strengthening Youth Representation in Nordic Regions project, which explores how young people participate in local and regional decision-making, particularly in rural areas. Through a series of Nordic case studies, the project identifies opportunities, barriers and approaches to strengthening meaningful youth participation and democratic resilience.
