Local change becomes possible when young people have opportunities to connect, learn from each other and receive the support needed to turn ideas into action. This message guided the InoHub Sidebar Roundtable, held in Batumi on 5-7 June 2026, where 25 participants - members of thirteen Youth Labs from across Georgia and their mentors - reflected on the progress of their local initiatives, identified practical solutions to implementation challenges and shaped the next stage of their action.

The Youth Labs initiative, established by the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe in 2025, supports young people in different regions of Georgia to work together on issues such as civic participation, equality, inclusion, environmental protection, and community well-being. InoHub serves as the national platform that connects these Labs, enabling young people to share experiences, strengthen skills, and collaborate on projects that promote democratic values and human rights at local level.

For many participants, one of the most valuable aspects of the gathering has been the opportunity to learn from other Labs.  “It became clear to me that, despite limited resources, time constraints and the lack of other tools, young people can, through their dedication and unwavering motivation, bring about changes in their regions and municipalities that may be small, but are visible and meaningful,” highlighted one of the Youth Lab leaders.

Mentors also reflected on the significant progress they have witnessed over the past year, particularly in young people's confidence, resilience and willingness to support one another. As one mentor shared, “this process showed me how important it is to create a supportive environment and development opportunities for motivated and purpose-driven young people. What was especially inspiring throughout the mentoring process was observing how young people gradually grew stronger, gained confidence, supported one another, and transformed their ideas into real action and positive change.”

Beyond preparing for the upcoming InoHub II meeting, participants also looked ahead to the future of the Youth Labs network, discussing how cooperation, peer support and youth-led initiatives can continue and expand in the years to come. The discussions confirmed that the network is increasingly viewed not simply as a series of local initiatives, but as a growing community of young people and mentors committed to supporting each other and creating positive change in their communities.

The activity was organised within the framework of the project “Advancing Participatory and Human Rights-based Local Democracy in Georgia”, implemented by the Centre of Expertise for Multilevel Governance of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, as part of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Georgia 2024-2027, with the support of International Partnerships Austria.