The 21C@JC centres are co-created by young people and 15 social service agencies, transforming 36 ICYSCs into local hotspots with different vibes. To completely change the outdated stereotypes of ICYSCs, 21C@JC held design thinking workshops before the centre renovation phase, inviting over 1,000 youth to co-create and co-design the centre environment, available facilities and service experiences. This puts “youth-centricity” into action, materialising youth voices and creating an environment more suited to youth needs.
Apart from various entertainment facilities, some centres also included quiet corners to cater to the diverse youth needs: where one may want to catch a breath and enjoy some personal space of their own, others may want to have a good time with friends and meet new people. Regardless, the new 21C@JC centres strive to create an enabling environment for all to explore and develop.
Furthermore, 21C@JC established the “Innovation Fund” to encourage youth participation in the renovation process by providing extra funding for centres with exemplary proposals. More than 30 proposals with authentic youth voices were received, showcasing innovative solutions and demonstrating high levels of participation from start to finish. 40 youth representatives were also invited as judging panelists, proving that the funding scheme is not only a competition, but also a growth journey of more than 1,000 youth.
