The Role Of NGOs in Youth Participation - Cases From Tampere and Lublin

Over the years, NGOs have accumulated significant experience and developed expert knowledge in many fields, contributing to their growing prominence. On the one hand, the third sector has been perceived as market-based actors, delivering high-quality services. On the other hand, NGOs play a crucial role in decentralisation and democratisation processes. This change reflects a broader shift from government to governance. As a result, the third sector has moved from a traditional focus on project-based work centred on ‘doing’ to a more ‘influencing’ role. This paper aims to examine the role of the third sector in youth participation through two cases: Tampere (Finland) and Lublin (Poland). The issue of youth participation in decision-making is a cross-cutting topic, particularly in light of declining voter turnout and a systematic decrease of civic engagement among young people. This paper analyses both the theoretical framework and the practical outcomes of the empirical research conducted in the investigated cities. Data were gathered through desk research and semi-structured interviews with NGOs, decision-makers, public officials, teachers and young people. The research outcomes suggest that in both cities, the pivotal role of most NGOs is still in service provision and advocacy. In both Tampere and Lublin, NGOs also take on an additional roles as interpreters or mediators, though these remain narrow and limited. However, in Lublin, the third sector plays a more developed role that extends beyond mere facilitation.