At Kersnikova’s second Critical ChangeLab, young people explored how digital tools, open-source platforms, and hands-on learning can help them shape more democratic futures – from the inside out.
In autumn 2024, a group of young participants aged 11 to 15 gathered weekly at Center Rog in Ljubljana where they explored a powerful question: how can we make technology more accessible, open, and democratic? The lab followed an eight-session structure designed to give participants space to think critically and act collectively. Rather than starting with predefined goals, the lab opened with drawing-based self-presentations and group discussions to identify what mattered most to the participants.
From this point on, the lab transformed into a participatory design process where youth explored ways to address digital exclusion through collaborative action.
Through open conversations and structured debates, the young participants collectively identified a shared concern: the lack of access to and understanding of digital technologies. They decided this
was something they could—and should—do something about.
Simulating Civic Life
To deepen their understanding of governance and public responsibility, the group played a collaborative simulation game, OpenTTD, where they collectively managed a virtual city’s infrastructure. They made decisions about transportation, resource allocation, and urban development, learning first-hand about the trade-offs and tensions involved in public planning. The game also became a lively arena for practicing democratic decision-making and seeing how collective choices impact broader systems
Speaking Up and Listening In
Throughout the eight-week lab, mentors encouraged open dialogue and critical reflection. Activities like the Row of Opinion, where participants physically positioned themselves according to their views, helped everyone engage with tough topics around digital rights, fairness, and autonomy. Facilitators noted increased confidence, curiosity, and participation among youth who initially hesitated to speak. The atmosphere of mutual respect and experimentation enabled even complex topics to become accessible.
Empowering Through Process
This workshop in Ljubljana demonstrated what the Critical ChangeLab model is all about: giving young people the tools, time, and trust to explore democracy not just as a concept, but as a way of acting, deciding, and imagining together. Through hands-on engagement with open technologies and peer collaboration, participants didn’t just learn about democratic values—they lived them. In a world where digital systems often feel distant or closed, this lab offered something rare: a space to question, to co-create, and to reclaim a sense of agency.
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