Participatory programming - PLATFORMAT 2026
Platforma Doma mladih
Croatia
The 13th edition of Platformat focuses on formalizing and systematizing the "delegated responsibility" model piloted in 2025. Facing the spatial crisis of the Youth Center, the project establishes a structured participatory system where NGOs and youth co-create the festival. This grant will help define clear methodologies for shared management and peer-to-peer knowledge transfer. By establishing these processes, Platformat ensures the scene's long-term resilience and creates a solid organizational foundation for future planned advocacy and community actions in 2027.
The 13th Platformat, themed "Shadow youth center," marks a shift from organic activism to a structured model of participatory management. In 2025, we piloted a "delegated responsibility" model where, with only 5,500€, 20+ NGOs co-financed 35 programs. This year, we are scaling up: moving from internal calls to a full Public open call for programmes and a Public call for a youth working team (under 30). This allows youth to gain hands-on experience through the "PDM Accelerator" mentorship.
This edition is the essential testing ground for our long-term strategy. The data and processes established now will fuel the "Platformarathon" (planned for late 2026/2027 via I4V), where we will co-create "Guidelines for participatory programming" and a "Manifesto for independent culture’s integrity." We are formalizing this methodology as a defense against imminent eviction and unfair competition from the public institution (MKC), which mimics our format with a 114,000€ budget but lacks our democratic core. By systematizing our practice, we prove that our value lies in a shared methodology that survives even without physical walls, ensuring the Youth Center’s heart remains with its community.