SPARK.

Spaces for Participation, Action, Resilience & Knowledge.

Youth Co-Designing Spaces for Change.

About the project

SPARK – Spaces for Participation, Action, Resilience and Knowledge is a European project that empowers young people to actively shape the spaces and communities they live in.

Through co-design and hands-on participation, young people identify needs, develop ideas and turn them into concrete solutions, strengthening creativity, collaboration and a sense of belonging.

Project Goals 

SPARK aims to:

  • Put young people at the centre of decision-making
  • Turn youth ideas into concrete solutions
  • Strengthen creativity, collaboration and active citizenship
  • Create more inclusive and youth-friendly spaces
  • Equip youth workers with practical co-design tools and methods
  • Develop approaches that can be adapted and replicated across Europe.

      Project Results

      A Co-Design Methodology Handbook

      The Handbook combines a step-by-step co-design methodology with a collection of practical tools and activities. Together, they support youth workers and organisations in involving young people throughout the process – from exploring needs and building ideas to prototyping, implementation and evaluation.

      A DIY Manual for Prototyping

      A step-by-step guidance for creating adaptable prototypes.

      Co-Design Labs & Creative Workshops

      Each partner country will establish a Co-Design Lab as a hub for youth participation and collaborative design. Through two creative workshops per country, young people will develop ideas and initial design concepts through hands-on activities.

      Training Course in Romania

      This event will focus on codesign
      methodologies, mentoring techniques, and technical skills, equipping youth workers with the necessary tools to guide
      young people in participatory design processes.

      Three adaptable prototypes

      Young participants will create three modular prototypes using 3D printing and digital fabrication. These prototypes, designed for youth-oriented spaces, will be accompanied by a checklist of materials and tools, ensuring the process is well-documented and replicable.

      Manual

      A step-by-step methodology for implementing co-design processes with young people. It guides youth workers through context analysis, team building, co-design, prototyping, implementation, ownership, dissemination, and evaluation.

      EN – DE – ITA – RO

      Appendix of Tools

      A collection of practical analysis and participatory tools to support each phase of the co-design process. It includes ready-to-use activities for exploring needs, generating ideas, collaborating, prototyping, and evaluating results.

      EN – DE – ITA – RO

      Booklet of Case Studies

      A collection of real-life co-design practices from Germany, Italy, and Romania. It showcases how young people can actively shape physical, social, and community spaces through participatory and creative approaches.

      EN – DE – ITA – RO

      Project Partners 

      Partners
      The partners in this project are: Curba de Cultură (Romania), Roter Baum Berlin (Germany), Municipality of Macerata (Italy).

      Donator
      The SPARK project is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Jugend für Europa – Nationale Agentur. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
      Project nr. 2025-1-DE04-KA220-YOU-000354175

      Contacts
      „Roter Baum Berlin“ UG – Stendaler Straße 43, 12627 Berlin.
      030 99281840 – info@roter-baum-berlin.de