SPACE Project

Sneak preview of the film The Making of …. Piet van Donk Square in Deventer, NL. With collaboration of Rastergroep, Youth for Christ, Gemeente Deventer, Deventer Doet, Saxion University of Applied Sciences,
Just finalising the final version……

This month, our Placemaking Western Balkans Team Members Nikolić Mančev are working on the short documentary on in Padinska Skela, and how youth can get engaged in its design and transformation.

The documentary highlights methods in improving shared spaces together with the young community of Padinska Skela. Citizens' Association Udruženje građana "Volim Padinjak" and their work with local youth is having a central role in the film. The Association will present the local challenges and potentials in collaborative action to create better and more accessible public spaces for all.

The documentary is part of the SPACE Project EU Erasmus + Programme. Wonderland Architecture Fakulteti i Arkitekturës Universiteti i Prishtinës New Horizon NGO Saxion University of Applied Sciences Placemaking Western Balkans Environmental and Territorial Management Institute

From 23 to 25 April 2026, young people in Mistelbach took over a public space and made it their own. Over three days, youth from the area built palette furniture, sewed cushion covers, and painted a large-scale mural together with artists from Calle Libre. The words that came up most when they wrote about their city in the writing workshop? Connect and Act - and that is exactly what they did! The workshop was part of the SPACE project, organised by youth advisors Mika, Niki, and Laura in cooperation with Wonderland Architecture, youbest mistelbach and the city of Mistelbach. It ended with a pizza party in the newly created space, the first gathering of hopefully many.

✨𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐍 𝐈𝐒 𝐎𝐔𝐓!
Have a look at the latest stories from the SPACE Project partner countries and explore how young people are coming together to transform their communities through creativity and collaboration. Discover the workshops, and placemaking activities that are helping shape more inclusive and engaging public spaces.

📖 For more information, click the link below!

The third SPACE Project Bulletin is out! | New Horizon NGO Bulletin No. 3 brings together key highlights from community workshops held across the SPACE Project partner countries, showcasing youth-led initiatives, collab

Last May, SPACE Project's partner Placemaking Western Balkans was in Padinska Skela again, to work with local stakeholders and youth on neighbourhood action plan, using the projects' curriculum on

Our work started with a walkshop with children, exploring the neighbourhood and
identifying the places where young people already gather, as well as the spaces that need
improvement. This step helped connect current plans of the Municiplaity with everyday
experiences on the ground.

The second day was dedicated to children generating ideas through a hands-on
placemaking workshop. They reflected on what they had seen during the walk, discussed
needs and wishes, and developed creative solutions for better, more inclusive public
spaces.

On the third day, these ideas were brought together into a co-designed action plan.
Participants worked on turning their proposals into concrete spatial interventions and
linking them to the ongoing wide consultation proces in the Municipality, regrading future
development of Padinska Skela.

The process showed how much potential exists when young people are actively involved
in placemaking education and in shaping their own neighbourhood.

It is a busy week in Deventer (gemeente). Barbora, Bastienne and others working on latest designs for the Piet van Donk square in front of the De Scheg, based on input of local youth in Deventer Colmschate. Thomas, Klei and their crew working on The Making of video. Gerry Stegeman and others testing the Kahoot quiz for the educational unit: how to build a fair square?
How about you Fakulteti i Arkitekturës Universiteti i Prishtinës Environmental and Territorial Management Institute Wonderland Architecture , Placemaking Western Balkans?

Young urbanists. Experienced urbanists. One shared mission. 🌍

In a core team of young people and youthworkers organised a week of drawing, designing, discussing, filming for youth from Colmschate. All geared towards a new lay out of Piet van Donk square, close to De Scheg sport center. The weather was bad (Dutch?) so we organised events at municipality, at Saxion University of Applied Sciences, at Scheg and . Including a pizza party. Next week an update on the results!

Sorry, we cant take close ups of the youngest. Privacy.

A small change in space can create a big change in how young people feel 🌿✨

What was once a neglected area in front of our high school has now become a cleaner, fresher, and more welcoming space for students to gather, connect, and spend time together. 💙

This transformation is the result of youth ideas, teamwork, and action — proving that when young people care for their community, positive change becomes visible.

Real change begins when young people take action 💪🌱

Together, the youth of our high school turned ideas into action by working side by side to improve their school space. Through teamwork, creativity, and dedication, they are helping create a more welcoming and comfortable environment for all students ✨

Small actions can make a big difference when a community comes together 🤝