Three cities, one future: young voices at Leeds Civic Hall

From Dortmund to Cluj to Leeds, young people are asking big questions

The Lord Mayor and his guests at the Council Chamber

How can young people help create more inclusive, resilient and sustainable communities? How can we ensure that their views are heard and reflected in the decisions that shape local priorities, policies and services? What matters most to children and young people in Leeds, and how does the city support their involvement in civic life? These were some of the questions explored this week as Leeds welcomed young people from Dortmund, Germany, and Cluj-Napoca, Romania, as part of the Three Cities, One Future: Joint Youth Action for a Resilient Europe youth exchange programme.

Bringing together young activists from CATCH Leeds, Jugendring Dortmund and the Federation of Young People of Cluj (FTC), the programme explores how young people can play an active role in shaping the future of their communities while learning from one another.

A highlight of the Leeds programme was a visit to Civic Hall, where participants met the Lord Mayor, the Leeds Children's Mayor, representatives from the Leeds Youth Parliament and council officers. Rather than a formal reception, the session became a lively discussion, giving participants the opportunity to learn more about Leeds and how it ensures young voices are heard and reflected in city-wide policies.

The Lord Mayor welcomed the group at Civic Hall

The Leeds Children's Mayor and Youth Parliament representatives spoke about what inspired them to take on their roles and the issues that matter most to young people in the city. Their contributions highlighted the many ways children and young people can help shape local decisions and make a positive difference in their communities.

The Children's Mayor and members of the Youth Parliament spoke about what motivated them to get involved in civic life.

Guided by the Lord Mayor, the group also toured Civic Hall and asked a wide range of questions about how the council works, how priorities are set, and how elected members engage with residents.

The enthusiasm and curiosity of the participants were evident throughout the visit. Their thoughtful questions reflected a genuine interest not only in understanding how decisions are made, but also in exploring how they can become active contributors to their communities.

Touring Civic Hall with the Lord Mayor

The Civic Hall visit formed part of a wider programme focused on civic engagement, sustainability, community cohesion and resilience. During their stay in Leeds, participants will also visit the Veolia Recycling Plant and the CITU sustainable housing development, as well as taking part in workshops on conflict resolution, community cohesion and the role of sport in strengthening communities.

A meaningful gift from Dortmund: United by Borussia scarf, representing Borussia Dortmund football club's anti-discrimination campaign

The Three Cities, One Future programme supports international youth exchanges as a way of helping young people broaden their perspectives, build lasting connections, and develop the confidence and skills needed to become active citizens.

Moments from the event