Co-creation of Public Open Space - Encouraging Participation of Children within the NONA – New Governance for New Spaces Project

In Serbia, urban planning regulations do not specify methods for including children in decision-making, resulting in a low level of their participation in practice. This abstract presents a practical example that demonstrates possibilities for greater youth involvement in the identification of needs in the local urban environment, implemented within the project ‘’NONA – New Governance for New Spaces’’ (Interreg Danube Region, DRP0200519 co-funded by the EU) on enhancing green investments in sustainable and integrated urban development . The project is implemented within the pilot location Letnjikovac in Šabac - a green open public space (of approximately 9 ha) in which the following public facilities are located: Science Center with exhibition area, Center for Professional Development, Primary School, three kindergartens, Health Center, Local Community Office, Center for Intergenerational Solidarity for Elderly and sport field. The rest of the space (about 90%) is forested area, which needs to be supplemented with attractive content for users. The space is used daily by about 1000 children, so most of the proposed interventions and initiated actions were oriented towards them, to improve and adapt the space to their needs and wishes. The NONA project was carried out through artistic competition and participatory workshops (May 2025), and an online survey with a project idea proposal (November 2025), both focused on identifying children’s needs at the site. Visual and literary competition on the topic "Letnjikovac of the Future - What I Want for All of Us" was accompanied by an exhibition and co-creative workshops dedicated to biodiversity and nature protection, making terrariums and birdhouses. The chance to express ideas through questionnaires is complemented by guided design in the form of drawings and mock-ups. With the assistance of urban planners, the children expressed the need for creative playgrounds, educational spaces (botanical garden and a mini laboratory - a greenhouse for seedlings), a space for outdoor classes, birthday celebrations, or for teenagers. All collected ideas represent the basis for the formation of project studies and requests to the city administration or applying for funds from foundations and socially responsible sponsors.