Description
Mukařov is one of the villages selected by Smart Rural 21 that has focused on involving youth in community life as part of its Smart Village strategy. Based on a local diagnosis, the municipality co-created Hangout4Teens, a youth club and safe meeting space that hosts cultural, digital, and volunteer activities. The process included participatory workshops, coordination with families and schools, and municipal support for equipment and facilitation. In addition to providing educational leisure, the club serves as a bridge between young people and local government, allowing them to propose improvements (events, microprojects, green initiatives). The experience was presented publicly at the Smart Rural 21 final conference as an example of how youth participation can anchor other smart development areas in the municipality (digital services, civic communication, lifelong learning).
Innovation
Mukařov’s innovation lies in institutionalising a co-designed youth space that links local policies with the real interests of young people. Hangout4Teens combines digital activities (ICT skills, online communication), cultural programmes, and civic engagement, becoming a community hub that supports village projects (events, green campaigns, intergenerational support). The co-creation methodology—with shared roles and responsibilities—ensures continuity and relevance. The club also functions as a laboratory to test services (e.g., digital surveys, municipal notifications) and as a pipeline for youth leadership in other Smart Village initiatives.
Why it is inspiring
Mukařov demonstrates that rural revitalisation can start by giving young people a voice and a space. With limited costs and a participatory approach, the municipality has improved cohesion, retained young talent, and activated projects with visible impact. By integrating the youth club into the Smart Village strategy, Mukařov turns participation into practical governance, generating replicable lessons (how to convene, moderate, and sustain youth spaces; how to connect them with digital services and municipal agendas). For VILLAHUB, this case provides a concrete roadmap for opening a youth space (both physical and online) that feeds the digital agora with youth-led initiatives.
Responsible entity: Municipality of Mukařov (in collaboration with Smart Rural 21 and local actors)
Location: Mukařov, Central Bohemia (Czechia)
