Children’s Council in Xàbia Puts Young Voices at the Centre of Local Decision-Making

Xàbia Council held an extraordinary session of the Children’s Council, bringing together the town’s young members, municipal officials, their families and residents interested in learning about the work of the town’s child participation body.

The meeting was chaired by mayor Rosa Cardona alongside councillor responsible for Childhood Affairs, Raquel Violero (PP), who joined the young councillors for a session focused on listening, discussion and sharing ideas about the present and future of Xàbia from the perspective of its youngest residents.

During the gathering, the children said they wanted the council to remain a space built on trust and open dialogue, where they could freely discuss the issues that concern them and present proposals directly to local officials. They emphasized that meaningful change begins with an idea or a dream, and with the courage to share it so it can be developed collectively.

The discussion quickly evolved into an active exchange in which the children reflected on what kind of town they need and how they would like Xàbia to evolve to improve life for children and pre-teens.

Among the ideas presented was the need for more spaces designed specifically for children and preadolescents, particularly for those who are not yet old enough to access youth facilities such as Play Jove youth programme. Participants also highlighted the importance of covered, multi-purpose venues where young people could meet and take part in activities regularly, especially for those who are not involved in sports clubs and are looking for alternative leisure options.

In the area of parks and green spaces, the group proposed improvements to existing facilities to make them more attractive and accessible, particularly Parque Pedro IV and Parque Pinosol, with the goal of making them safer and more inclusive so all children in the municipality can enjoy them.

The young councillors also raised concerns about safety and called for efforts to make the town safer through greater awareness and improved civic behaviour.

Municipal councillors responded by outlining several initiatives already under way. Violero highlighted the “Racó Menys 12” project, a new space planned at the Casa de Cultura de Xàbia, designed specifically for preteens to provide an age-appropriate leisure environment.

Sports councillor Toni Molina (PP) added that the municipality is already studying the possibility of developing new sports facilities on a plot identified by the children. He also noted that several sports spaces are currently available for public use outside club training hours, including the Campo de Les Mesquides, the sports court at CEIP Port de Xàbia, and facilities located in the Jávea Park and Parque Reina Sofía (Thiviers) parks.

Closing the session, Cardona publicly thanked the young council members for their commitment and responsibility in representing the town’s children. “You are doing an excellent job. You represent all the children of Xàbia and dedicate your time to thinking about how to improve your town and the lives of your classmates,” the mayor said, stressing that initiatives such as the Children’s Council strengthen genuine youth participation in shaping the municipality’s future.