The Universidad Icesi–POLIS team continues to move forward with one of the most exciting phases of the NextGenC project: fieldwork in the intermediate cities of Manizales, Cartagena, and Quibdó. This effort aims to explore how local institutions—such as governments, private companies, NGOs, and universities—interact with youth, and how digital technology can strengthen these relationships to promote more inclusive and participatory governance.

In each city, the Universidad Icesi–POLIS team has gathered key information through interviews and meetings with a variety of institutional actors. In addition, focus groups are being conducted with youth counselors, local government representatives, and private organizations to analyze their experiences with political participation and their interactions with local institutions. This approach seeks to understand how digital tools can become strategic allies in overcoming traditional barriers and encouraging active, transformative participation.

Intermediate cities in Colombia represent a unique space for political and social innovation. This fieldwork helps identify how young people can play an active role in local decision-making, while also addressing challenges like institutional distrust and limited access to technology.

The strength of this analysis lies in its ability to address participation challenges from multiple perspectives: the voice of youth, institutional dynamics, and the impact of emerging technologies. Each interaction contributes essential insights into how these cities can lead the way in building a more inclusive and sustainable model of urban governance.

Technology not only amplifies young voices—it also creates new opportunities to design more transparent, accessible, and participatory governance processes.

With these developments, we continue to deepen our understanding of youth participation in intermediate cities. In the coming weeks, we’ll expand our engagement with key stakeholders and further analyze how technology and innovation can transform the relationship between institutions and young people in Colombia.

Join us on this journey and stay tuned for the insights and findings we’ll be sharing from NextGenC. Together, we can help build a future where youth take the lead in shaping more inclusive and democratic cities.