June 2025

What happens when young researchers are given the platform to share their findings on issues that matter most to them? The answer came into sharp focus on 11th June at the University of Łódź, where approximately 70 participants gathered for the International Students’ Conference on Social Problems and Social Work in Europe.

First-time speakers, extraordinary impact

For most of the student presenters, this marked their debut public speaking experience. Despite initial nerves from both students and faculty members, the young researchers exceeded all expectations. Through oral presentations and poster sessions, they shared the outcomes of their Community-Led Action Research (CLRA) conducted as part of the YOUROPE project “Visionary roadmaps: Crafting an Inclusive and Participatory European Democracy with Youth and Communities.”

The diverse audience included students and teachers from two foreign universities collaborating with the University of Łódź, practitioners, and members of the communities where the research took place. This created a unique dialogue between academic knowledge and lived experiences—embodying the very essence of the YOUROPE project’s mission.

Tackling real issues with fresh perspectives

The student researchers addressed pressing community challenges that directly affect young people’s lives. Topics ranged from age-based workplace discrimination and educational pressures to the struggles faced by young artists and barriers experienced by early parents. Presentations included “What does democracy mean to me? Reconstructing the voice of the youth” and “Youth vs. Włocławek – Where Do We Belong?”

These weren’t abstract academic exercises. The research tackled real problems identified by the communities themselves, giving voice to issues that often go unheard in traditional decision-making processes.

Genuine engagement and lasting impact

Following the presentations, students expressed their enthusiasm for the experience, wishing the day could have lasted longer. They particularly valued the audience’s questions and felt genuinely heard when discussing matters close to their hearts—perhaps for the first time in an academic setting.

“The students told us they were left wanting more,” reported faculty members. “They appreciated the questions from the audience and were glad to have had the opportunity to speak about issues that matter deeply to them—feeling that they were truly heard and taken seriously.”

Building momentum for future collaboration

The event has already sparked new initiatives, with members of one CLRA group expressing interest in organising a similar conference in their own city. This expansion demonstrates how Community-Led Action Research can create ripple effects, empowering communities to take ownership of democratic participation.

Faculty members reported immense pride in their students’ commitment and are already planning to repeat the event next year, building on this year’s success.

The conference perfectly captured YOUROPE’s vision of a Europe where young people don’t just have a seat at the table but are leading the conversation. By bringing together academic rigour with community insights, events like this strengthen democratic participation across European communities and demonstrate the power of giving young voices the platform they deserve.