Children and youth participation in the development of Riga: MC-YOU Minecraft Project
Status: Realized projects
As part of the project, the initiative “MC YOU” was implemented in Riga, during which children and young people were engaged in developing urban environment ideas using the Minecraft platform, providing their vision for improvements to public outdoor spaces and the future of Riga. The project offers a modern and youth-engaging form of participation that combines digital skills with real impact on urban development processes. It serves as an example of how a municipality can successfully adapt communication and engagement methods to the younger generation, making participation more accessible, understandable, and motivating.
The Significance of the Project for Riga
Traditional public participation mechanisms – public consultations, surveys, and in-person meetings often fail to reach children and young people or are unable to fully capture their needs and ideas. At the same time, sustainable urban development requires the inclusion of all societal groups, especially those who will be the future users and shapers of the city. Therefore, there is a clear need for innovative approaches that can engage young people in an environment that is understandable and appealing to them.
In this context, the “MC YOU” project represents an important step towards more inclusive and future-oriented urban planning. By using digital tools such as the popular Minecraft platform, a space is created where young people can freely experiment, model, and visualise their ideas about the urban environment. This not only fosters creativity and spatial thinking but also helps the municipality better understand the needs and habits of the younger generation.
The project also strengthens civic participation by developing young people’s understanding of urban development processes and their opportunities to be involved. It promotes dialogue between the municipality and society, building trust and a shared sense of responsibility for the city’s future. In the long term, such an approach contributes to the development of an active, engaged, and informed society, which is a key prerequisite for sustainable and high-quality urban development.
Target of the Project
To promote meaningful participation of children and young people in the development of Riga’s urban environment by using digital tools and creative approaches for idea development and communication with the municipality.
Benefits for Residents
✓ Increased involvement of children and young people in urban development processes;
✓ Development of digital and creative skills among young people;
✓ Strengthened sense of belonging and responsibility for the urban environment;
✓ Generation of new, innovative ideas for improving public outdoor spaces;
✓ Promotion of dialogue between young people and the municipality.
Project Activities
✓ Organisation of workshops for children and young people using digital platforms;
✓ Modelling of urban environment ideas in the Minecraft environment;
✓ Presentation and discussion of ideas developed by young people with experts;
✓ Cooperation with educational institutions and industry specialists;
✓ Public awareness activities about opportunities for youth participation.
Project Implementation Area
The administrative territory of Riga, with a focused approach on specific neighbourhoods and public outdoor spaces.
Project Results
✓ Development of proposals by children and young people for improving the urban environment;
✓ Introduction of a new approach to public participation using digital tools;
✓ Strengthened cooperation between the municipality, schools, and young people;
✓ Promotion of a long-term culture of participation in Riga;
✓ Demonstration that digital platforms can be an effective tool for engaging society in urban planning.
Funding, Duration, and Partners
Funding source: European Union programme Erasmus+
Total budget: 48,675 EUR (co-financing from Riga City Municipality – 10%)
Implementation period: 01.11.2023 – 24.11.2025
Project partners: European network Out of the Box International (Belgium), Riga City Municipality (Department of Education, Culture and Sports; City Development Department), Municipality of Faro (Portugal), Municipality of Sandanski (Bulgaria), INA EUROPE (France), CESIE (Italy), Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC), LINK DMT SRL (Italy)
Contact information
Riga City Municipality
Communication Department / External Communication Division
Tatjana Smirnova
tsmirnova11@riga.lv
Below you can view the best idea from the MC-YOU project competition and a video presentation created by the team “Block Busters” from the Riga Technical Creativity Centre “Annas 2”, which won a trip to the project’s international closing event in Brussels.
