How can we make our communities more sustainable while also giving children and young people a real say in the process? That’s the question at the heart of a new master’s thesis carried out within the Mobility Makers project. The thesis, “Listening to the young – engaging children in citizen dialogue for sustainable mobility”, brings fresh perspectives and practical ideas that we believe many will find valuable.
What the study found
One of our project partners, the County Administrative Board of Skåne, had the privilege of working with two master’s students from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Greta Larsson and Maria Larsson, who chose to focus their thesis on how municipalities in Skåne can involve children in community planning and reduce car use. The students’ work highlights three important takeaways:
- Collaboration matters
Municipalities and authorities often work in silos, which can lead to conflicts and slow progress. Better cooperation and communication across different actors can make planning smoother and more effective. - Children need a clearer path to participate
While Sweden’s Children’s Convention calls for young voices to be included, there aren’t clear guidelines on how to do this in planning processes. The study shows that municipalities would benefit from a simple framework to make children’s involvement both easier and more consistent. - Resources are key
Limited time, staff, and funding often hold back municipalities from reaching their goals. Without proper resources, it becomes difficult to fully involve children or take meaningful steps to reduce car usage.
Why this matters
These insights give us a better understanding of how children and young people can help shape our communities for the future. When municipalities, planners, and communities commit to listening to the younger generation, the benefits can be long-lasting—building healthier, more sustainable, and more inclusive places to live.
We’re excited to take these findings with us as we continue our work in the Mobility Makers project, and we hope they can spark inspiration and action far beyond Skåne.
