Practical learning through the NONA project in Veszprém: students explore public administration and urban development

As part of the NONA, the Municipality of Town Veszprém with County Rank recently hosted a group of high school students for a practical learning day focused on public administration and community planning. This collaboration marks the beginning of a new initiative through which the Municipality will serve as a practical training centre for young people interested in governance and civic engagement.

The students had the opportunity to learn about international projects and participate in a focus group discussion at the university’s focus lab. Although the project is not yet in the analysis phase, this session served as a valuable test of how focus group interviews function in practice. The exercise will inform the third stage of the population survey, during which stakeholders will participate in focus group interviews following the evaluation of the population questionnaires.

University experts collaborated with students to evaluate the structure and methodology of the interviews, observing how group dynamics evolved and identifying potential areas for improvement. The session also provided insight into how a modern focus lab can support participatory research. Observing from the monitoring room, the organisers could follow the students’ natural reactions as they discussed several key questions:

• What is missing from the city of Veszprém?

• What should the city centre of the future look like?

• What events would you organise?

In the afternoon, the group visited ActiCity Dance and Movement Centre, a beautifully renovated building that was restored for the European Capital of Culture year. This space, once abandoned for 30 years, now stands as a symbol of urban renewal and creativity. In this inspiring environment, students took part in a community planning game, focusing on the city centre as the NONA pilot area.