This is a European project, led by ELFAC and its European network of family-friendly municipalities, to discuss major European Union issues from the perspective of families and young people.
The Festival for a Better Future is a project led by ELFAC, within its European Network of Family Friendly Municipalities, and funded by the European Commission’s CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) program. The aim is to highlight the role of the family in tackling Europe’s main challenges.
Themes such as “The Europe we want”, “Welcoming cities for a caring EU”, “Greener cities, greener EU” and “Inclusive growth” are the central themes of each of the four events, one for each partner municipality of the project: Alghero (Italy), Bacau (Romania), Creixell (Spain) and Gdynia (Poland).
Each event consists in a conference with experts in the topic, a workshop of good practices of municipalities, and a discussion of young people with a final manifesto. Also includes a “feast” event, like a concert, activitities for families and children, workshops in museums or cultural centers, excursions, etc…
Representatives from the four participating municipalities partners of this ELFAC project gathered this time in the beautiful Polish city on the shores of the Baltic Sea to discuss the theme: “Greener cities, greener EU.”
The conference took place at the “Konsulat Kulturi,” a former Swedish consulate that is now the cultural center of the municipality of Gdynia. Maciej Zielonka, Vice-President of the City of Gdynia, welcomed the participants together with Katarzyna Korzeniewska, Director of the Gdynia Culture Center.
The four municipalities presented their best practices for promoting a greener Europe, making life in their territories more attractive for families. Lucian-Ionut Andrei, from the city council of Bacau, spoke on behalf of Bacau; Montserrat Muñoz, mayor of Creixell, spoke on behalf of Creixell; Mauro Ledda, from the office for family policies of the municipality of Alghero, spoke on behalf of Alghero; and Marta Jasińska from the Department of Environment of the city of Gdynia and Anna Sowa from CN Experyment spoke on behalf of Gdynia.
The group of young participants from the various municipalities held a day of debate, which ended with a manifesto on the theme of the conference. They were moderated by a young Polish couple, newlyweds Marlene and Hubert Mucha, from the youth association “Młodzi na Plus.”
After lunch, the participants enjoyed a guided tour of the city, focusing mainly on the architecture of some of its main buildings.
In the afternoon and evening, the whole city turned out for museum night. The cultural center organized various activities for the city’s families, such as a manga comic workshop, an art exhibition, a music concert, etc.
The following day, the representatives of the municipalities attended a workshop at the science museum, Experyment, focusing on food cycles and the balance of nature.
Manifesto of young people
On Saturday 17.05.2025, a group of young people from Italy, Spain, Poland and Romania gathered in Gdynia to take part in a dynamic workshop titled “Greener Today for the Better Future.”
The session began with an energizing game of “charades” featuring famous European cities and cultures, setting a fun and inclusive tone. Participants then reflected on what “Greener Today” means in real life, identifying key themes such as biodiversity, sustainable urban design, eco-technology, reducing waste, food donations, and better public transport.
The group discussed barriers to building greener cities, such as high costs, limited awareness, political disagreements, and dependence on centralized policies. They also reflected on how young people often lack influence in local decision-making, yet want to be more involved.
Through lively group discussion, participants proposed thoughtful and creative solutions: promoting local transport, creating rooftop gardens, renovating old buildings, planting wild species instead of decorative grass, and forming youth focus groups to develop green initiatives.
What emerged was a shared understanding that sustainability is not only about the environment. It is about accessibility, inclusion, and community well-being.
The workshop closed with a call to action: for young people to become agents of change in their own cities by asking questions, launching local projects, and working together across borders. The ideas shared during this short session offer a glimpse of a future shaped not just for, but with, the next generation.