On 7–8 February 2026, the 4Voices Regional Futures Workshop – Eastern Europe took place in Pitești, Romania, hosted by Asociația Imago Mundi at the Ilfoveanu & Badea Cultural Foundation. The event brought together 56 young participants from Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Hungary, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, creating a vibrant and diverse space for dialogue, reflection and collaboration.
Over the course of two intensive and meaningful days, participants explored how post-communist transitions continue to shape societies across the region. The workshop combined storytelling, intergenerational reflection and creative foresight methods, offering young people the opportunity to connect personal and collective histories with present challenges and future possibilities.
One of the key moments of the workshop was the session delivered by Associate Professor Natalia Burtoiu, psychologist and lecturer at the University of Pitești, who introduced participants to the topic of gender-based violence and the internalisation of social roles. Her contribution encouraged deeper reflection on how gender norms and expectations are shaped over time and how they continue to influence participation in both private and public life.
Participants engaged in a wide range of interactive activities, including city exploration and street interviews, where they connected with the local community and reflected on how history is represented in public spaces. Through the “Memories of Transition” exercise, they brought forward intergenerational perspectives, while activities such as “Elephant in the Room” created space for discussing sensitive and often unspoken topics.
The workshop also placed a strong emphasis on future-oriented thinking. Through creative exercises such as the Futures Podcast, Futures Newspaper, and Futures Palmistry, participants imagined possible futures for Eastern Europe, analysing how past experiences influence the way societies envision change. These activities encouraged collaboration, critical thinking and the co-creation of ideas that can contribute to future policy discussions.
Beyond the structured programme, the workshop fostered a strong sense of community. Participants highlighted the value of intercultural exchange, discovering shared experiences across countries, and engaging in open and honest conversations.
The 4Voices Regional Futures Workshop in Romania represents an important step in amplifying youth voices in discussions about democracy, memory and the future of Europe, contributing to the development of policy insights that reflect the realities and aspirations of young people in the region.
