In this diploma thesis, we examined the role young people have in the co-creation of the rural areas in the Municipality of Kidričevo. We examined the extent to which active young people (in)directly participate in the development of the local community by using the knowledge, the experience, and the skills acquired in three key environments (family, school, leisure time). Development documents often perceive young people only as a target group for certain measures and not as equal drivers of rural development. The analysis of the municipal budget proves that the Municipality of Kidričevo takes care of supporting young people both directly (pocket money, direct financial incentives) and indirectly (through the financing of associations and of primary education). We tried to surpass the shortcomings of desk research methods through a semi-structured interview with representatives of eight selected societies and the mayor. By surveying young people from the municipality (N = 354), we obtained information on their interest in and their understanding of selected civic and political topics, got acquainted with the social and volunteering of young people and studied the impact of family, municipality, and school on it; we identified the main challenges they face and and listened to their suggestions for improvement. Young people from the municipality have proven to be very active, the strong local volunteering network serving as proof of it, even though they do not always play a decisive role in them. They participate in the local community both directly (as development drivers) and indirectly (as development guides). Based on our results, we also made suggestions for a more effective activation of young people and other local potentials.
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