Our team asked the answer to this question as part of two focus groups on the 5th of May, 2023.

As part of the project "Forward in Urban Youth Volunteering 21" which is based on equity, participation and shared vision by creating and delivering an urban transformation process made of a theory framework, practical tools and digitally integrated volunteer management mechanism regarding the active civic engagement of young people in urban life through volunteering. 

The current phase of implementation in this project, the research, is ongoing which in our case is conducting focus groups, surveys and a desk analysis on the topic based on the community in Stumica. The results will be used to create a double sided platform with the local context in mind. 

The young people in Strumica have a really good energy and positive vibes. They are open for collaboration and to them, being active and volunteering is not another task they need to complete, but a way of life. They truly believe in achieving something bigger by being part of a group of like-minded people. However, they do emphasize the fact that Strumica lacks more diverse opportunities for being an active young person.  - Nina Jovanovska