How young people shape the future of Lusatia: Insights from RFLL workshops 3 and 4

In 2025, young people in Lusatia came together in two combined sessions as part of workshop 3 and workshop 4 of the DUST project’s Regional Future Literacy Labs (RFLLs). Over the course of two days, participants explored how their region could evolve sustainably while remaining socially inclusive. Building on the insights from the first two workshops, workshops 3 and 4 took participants’ ideas a step further, combining reflection and creative exploration. Across two days, young people from the region explored what the future of Lusatia might look like, considering everything from mobility and housing to public services and local professions. 

Workshop 3: From Stories to Mapping 

The third workshop focused on participatory engagement and creative collaboration. After a welcome and introduction, the facilitation team presented seed statements covering local profession needs, housing, mobility, and public services. Participants explored these statements through the folded story method, connecting abstract ideas to their own experiences, observations, and expectations for the future. 

Participants visualized and mapped relationships between the statements, adding new elements inspired by the previous day’s conversations. This process allowed participants to reflect on the original formulations, link them to specific places and themes, and articulate ideas that were meaningful both individually and collectively. 

The stories developed highlighted several recurring themes: 

• Mobility and accessibility: Expanded rail lines, e-buses, safe cycling infrastructure, and car-free city centres provided concrete touchpoints for linking narratives to mobility seed statements. 

• Shared and multigenerational spaces: Multi-generational houses and collectively managed public squares reflected the importance of inclusive neighbourhoods. 

• Social infrastructure: Free public drinking fountains, social centres, and local contact points addressed everyday needs and countered isolation. 

• Housing reality: Small, expensive flats alongside innovative housing solutions raised questions of affordability and quality. 

• Digitalisation: App-based services and online tools sparked reflections on equitable access to digital infrastructure. 

  
  

These discussions provided a common narrative foundation for workshop 4, energising participants for deeper engagement with stakeholders. 

Workshop 4: Linking Ideas to Action 

The fourth workshop created a collaborative space for young people and stakeholders to co-develop actionable ideas. Held in the gallery of the Kunsthalle Lausitz, the workshop opened in an informal, welcoming atmosphere with coffee and snacks. Visualisations of earlier workshop outputs—including mind maps, large regional design posters, and Pol.is seed statements—allowed participants to connect past ideas to current discussions. 

Three mixed roundtable discussions combined young participants and stakeholders to explore pressing issues in depth: 

• Local Profession Needs: Discussions focused on attracting and retaining professionals in social and educational sectors, creating attractive training pathways, and ensuring recognition and financial stability. Ideas such as youth clubs and localised contact points linked to broader priorities like safe, inclusive public spaces. 

• Housing Affordability and Neighbourhoods: Participants discussed inclusive, barrier-free communities, affordable housing for students and families, and protection of neighbourhoods from displacement. Public spaces like Schillerpark illustrated how affordability, accessibility, and cultural vibrancy intersect. 

• Mobility and Accessibility: Participants highlighted the need for reliable regional transport, flexible options like e-bikes and on-demand shuttles, and safe cycling and pedestrian routes. Discussions linked mobility directly to access to leisure, education, and cultural spaces. 

• Communication and Public Services: Ideas included improved municipal websites, direct outreach, affordable leisure activities, youth district offices, and stronger networking between schools, youth clubs, and local authorities. Accessibility, inclusivity, and sustainability were central themes. 

• 
  

The Pol.is seed statements were available at each table as prompts, allowing discussions to flow naturally between lived experiences and institutional perspectives. A final panel brought the results together in a collective synthesis. While no formal written roadmap was produced, stakeholders committed to supporting initiatives, providing advice, and exploring follow-up actions in line with the workshop discussions. 

Preferred Futures 

Participants envisioned a polycentric, socially equitable Lusatia, where development is not concentrated only in Cottbus but spread across vibrant towns and villages. Key features of this vision included: 

• Affordable housing policies that keep communities accessible for young people, families, and long-term residents 

• Inclusive, co-designed public spaces and green areas accessible to all 

• Integrated, affordable, and barrier-free mobility combining public transport, cycling, and pedestrian routes 

• Accessible cultural, educational, and leisure infrastructure for all generations 

  
  

The preferred future emphasised everyday quality of life, social cohesion, and environmental care, alongside economic regeneration. 

Policy Directions 

Discussions from RFLL4 suggest a shift toward balanced and socially inclusive regional development. This would involve: 

• Redistributing financial resources and planning capacity to smaller municipalities 

• Ensuring affordable and inclusive housing, mobility, and leisure opportunities 

• Sustaining cultural and recreational facilities with long-term funding security 

• Embedding participatory governance, enabling residents—especially young people—to co-shape decisions and future-building processes 

• 
  

While participants recognised the value of flagship projects in Cottbus, such as the university expansion or the Cottbuser Ostsee, they stressed the need to balance centralised investment with locally driven improvements to ensure benefits reach rural communities. 

Connecting Ideas and Action 

Every seed statement tested through Pol.is was mirrored in the discussions held in the two workshops. They allowed young people to link abstract ideas to real-life challenges and opportunities, while stakeholders offered immediate guidance and follow-up actions. Discussions focused on responsibilities and opportunities for different actors, creating a practical bridge between visions and policy possibilities. 

Both workshops held in Lusatia show how young people can actively shape their region’s future, combining creativity, dialogue, and collaboration with stakeholders to imagine a more inclusive, connected, and vibrant region.