Excitement is building for the FLYE project’s upcoming study visit in Portugal! Taking place from May 14th to 16th, 2025, this event offers participants a chance to explore Portugal’s pioneering efforts in implementing Participatory Budgeting (PB) at the national level. It’s a unique opportunity to see firsthand how PB is helping shape community decisions and empower citizens at local and national levels. 

As a long-time leader in participatory democracy, Portugal provides the perfect setting for youth workers, young participants, and public authority representatives to learn from real-world PB implementations. Through a series of field visits, hands-on workshops, and discussions with experts, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how PB drives social change and supports inclusive decision-making. 

Here’s what a few of our participants have to say as they prepare for this exciting trip: 

Wiesław Kąkol, Mayor of Boguchwała, Poland: ““For several years, I conducted training sessions on financial management and have experience in implementing PB in my municipality – I would like to exchange experiences and insights and introduce the best ideas in my local government” 

Ivan Visintin, Young participant, Italy: “I learned about the FLYE project at an art-based Citizenship meeting in Gorizia and I look forward to applying what I learn to the GO!2025 project” 

Yuran Weng, Young participant, Luxembourg: “Coming from a challenging background, I understand the importance of financial literacy in making informed decisions. I’m excited about the project’s focus on PB and hands-on learning to improve my financial skills and understanding of democratic processes” 

Elisa Guerra, Youth Worker, Italy: “Participating in a PB project is a unique opportunity to actively contribute to change, develop skills in project management, community engagement, and decision-making, and make a concrete impact on the community. I want to be a key part of meaningful change” 

Christoforos Malekos, Youth Worker, Junior Achievement (JA), Cyprus: “This experience will support my growth and allow me to bring valuable insights to JA Cyprus, benefiting the young people we support with impactful strategies in financial literacy and community empowerment” 

With a full program of field visits, workshops, and networking opportunities, this study visit promises to be a valuable learning experience for all involved. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our mission to empower youth and encourage active participation across Europe!