START WITH CHILDREN: MATT+FIONA (UK)

What if the next generation could work together to create the places where they live, learn, and play?

Fiona MacDonald and Matthew Springett from the London-based studio MATT+FIONA will talk about how their practice empowers young people to develop their creativity and self-confidence by shaping the world around them. Through hands-on projects and collaborations with schools and cities, they’ll show us how involving youth in the design and creation of spaces and interventions helps build communities and a engaged new generation that can positively influence our relationship with place and the environment. MATT+FIONA connects young people, educators, architects, local governments, and developers in the creation of real spaces and projects, having engaged nearly 9,000 children and young people in their programs and created more than 40 structures and installations across the United Kingdom.

The discussion will include:
Venus Jahanpour, founder and director of Brilliant Stars International School in Bratislava, which focuses on developing moral values, building character, and providing environmental education for children and young people.
Zuzana Žurkinová, Specialist in youth participation and collaboration at the Bratislava Metropolitan Institute and mentor at TU-BA-YOUTH.

The event will be streamed live.

The partners of Start with Children 2026 are Nadácia Alianz, Karel Komárek Family Foundation and APTOS.