Every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts. The closing of youth clubs, swimming pools and playgrounds and increasing fees prevent children from enjoying their leisure time. Not all young people can afford a bicycle or an entrance ticket to a sports club.

Rania (11), Marseille

France


In recent years more than one third of swimming pools in Marseille have been closed down. Finding somewhere safe to swim near my home has become very difficult.

Kaïs (11), Marseille

France


The playground where I live was shut down. It has not re-opened. Where are we meant to play in safety?

Jacopo (16), Rome

Italy


The crisis has hit my family hard. We can no longer take any holidays. I miss Sardinia and I miss my friends there. I can no longer see them.

Giulio (16), Jacopo (16) and Valerio, Rome

Italy

 

Sports facilities in Rome have become too expensive for many young people. Access to sports clubs is beyond our reach and there are few open spaces where we can play.

Ashley (17), Ghent

Flanders, Belgium

 

 

Instead of increasing, youth clubs in Ghent are being threatened with closure. Where are we supposed to spend time with our friends in safety?

Annelies (17), Ghent

Flanders, Belgium

 

 

When you have no pocket money it becomes hard to have fun with your friends. It becomes harder to feel good about yourself.

Sabrina (13), The Hague

The Netherlands

 

There are more bicycles than there are young people in The Netherlands. And yet, in this time of crisis, many young people can only dream of owning one.