The City of Sint-Niklaas in Belgium is putting co-design into practice by engaging young people directly in the creation of a new sharing station for sports and play equipment.
Youth Voices Shape City Decisions
As part of the city's annual Youth Budget event, young people are given a say in how city funds are spent. The initiative encourages students to think about their local environment and the kinds of projects that could make everyday life better for young residents. By taking part, participants gain an insight into how public decisions are made and learn that their opinions can have a real impact on their community.
The theme for this year was ‘Afterschool’, which presented the perfect opportunity to introduce plans for a new sharing station in the Witte Molen multi-sport area. This busy recreational space is already a popular meeting point for local youth, making it an ideal location for a project that promotes shared use of equipment and active play.
Co-designing in action
High school students from ten local schools were introduced to the sharing station initiative and invited to vote on the sports and play items they would use most often. This democratic process ensured that the young people most likely to benefit from the station could directly influence its design and contents. It also encouraged discussion about what kinds of activities matter most to them after school—whether it’s football, basketball, or simple outdoor games.
This approach is a strong example of co-designing access economy solutions with the target end-user group. The success or failure of a sharing station often depends on selecting goods that genuinely meet local needs, and involving young people in this choice helps ensure that the final selection will be both relevant and well used. In doing so, the project reflects a wider shift toward sustainable, community-led initiatives that encourage resource sharing over individual ownership.
The work being done by the City of Sint-Niklaas forms part of the Digital Kiosks project, which is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg North Sea Programme. By combining digital tools with local engagement, the city is exploring new ways to make public spaces more inclusive, innovative, and environmentally responsible. Initiatives like this not only strengthen the connection between young citizens and their city but also show how collaboration can lead to creative, long-term solutions for community wellbeing.