What happens when young people from across Europe come together with a shared determination to shape a better future?
The first Serve The City Youth Forum took place in Brussels from October 9–11, 2026. In addition to exchanging ideas, young volunteers from all over Europe came together to envision and create the future they want to build. They showed that their generation is prepared to become an active force for change rather than just passive viewers of today’s problems.
Dreaming the future, together.
These young volunteers brought different experiences, cultures and perspectives to the table. Yet despite their diverse backgrounds, they were united by a shared ambition : to dream the future and actively shape it. Throughout the weekend, participants reflected on the unique role young people can play in making that vision a reality. As Shannon reminded the audience, “We are not the future, we are the present. We are already leading.” Her message resonated strongly with participants, reinforcing the idea that dreaming about a better future is only the first step. Young people already have the power to influence change through their networks, friendships and communities, inspiring others to serve and transforming hope into action.
The strenghts and challenges of youth engagement.
Several participants echoed this idea. Bibice from Serve the City Maastricht spoke about the difficulty of taking the first step into an unfamiliar world of volunteering, while a volunteer from Tilburg pointed out that young people are not always taken seriously by older generations. At the same time, others highlighted the strengths youth bring : creativity, technological skills, adaptability and the ability to mobilize others. A volunteer from STC Amsterdam noted that young volunteers enter the world with fresh expertise, strong digital competencies and a willingness to keep learning. Jay from STC Kosovo added that young people possess an enormous potential for influence through their social connections.
Passing the baton to a new generation.
For Carlton Deal, founder of Serve the City, empowering younger voices is not a new direction but a return to the movement’s roots. During an interview at the forum, he explained that Serve the City has always been a youth movement. Reflecting on the event, he said he arrived wondering whether the baton could truly be passed to a younger generation. By the end of the weekend, he had his answer. Young people, he said, had enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to lead. He also highlighted what makes this generation unique : its tendency to see beneficiaries as partners rather than recipients, its demand for transparency and its ability to embrace complexity and multiple perspectives.
Turning ideas into actions.
The forum concluded with the election of Zuzanna from Serve the City Paris as the first youth representative to the international board and the co-creation of a Youth Manifesto focused on belonging, collaboration, sustainability, visibility and funding. These priorities will help shape Serve the City’s youth agenda towards 2030. Perhaps the most powerful message of the weekend came from Carlton Deal himself. Referring to the ideas generated during the forum, he said :“We can do this.” Then he challenged participants to go even further :“We will do this.” Moving from concern to commitment, from discussion to impact. For the young people gathered in Brussels, that journey has already begun.
Dreaming the future, together.
These young volunteers brought different experiences, cultures and perspectives to the table. Yet despite their diverse backgrounds, they were united by a shared ambition : to dream the future and actively shape it. Throughout the weekend, participants reflected on the unique role young people can play in making that vision a reality. As Shannon reminded the audience, “We are not the future, we are the present. We are already leading.” Her message resonated strongly with participants, reinforcing the idea that dreaming about a better future is only the first step. Young people already have the power to influence change through their networks, friendships and communities, inspiring others to serve and transforming hope into action.
The strenghts and challenges of youth engagement.
Several participants echoed this idea. Bibice from Serve the City Maastricht spoke about the difficulty of taking the first step into an unfamiliar world of volunteering, while a volunteer from Tilburg pointed out that young people are not always taken seriously by older generations. At the same time, others highlighted the strengths youth bring : creativity, technological skills, adaptability and the ability to mobilize others. A volunteer from STC Amsterdam noted that young volunteers enter the world with fresh expertise, strong digital competencies and a willingness to keep learning. Jay from STC Kosovo added that young people possess an enormous potential for influence through their social connections.
Passing the baton to a new generation.
For Carlton Deal, founder of Serve the City, empowering younger voices is not a new direction but a return to the movement’s roots. During an interview at the forum, he explained that Serve the City has always been a youth movement. Reflecting on the event, he said he arrived wondering whether the baton could truly be passed to a younger generation. By the end of the weekend, he had his answer. Young people, he said, had enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to lead. He also highlighted what makes this generation unique : its tendency to see beneficiaries as partners rather than recipients, its demand for transparency and its ability to embrace complexity and multiple perspectives.
