Debrecen4U December 3, 2025

Debrecen Competes for Hungary’s Youth Capital 2026 Title

Debrecen, Hungary’s renowned “school city,” has entered the race to become Hungary’s Youth Capital 2026. The semi-final will take place in Budapest on December 5, 2025, and supporters can help the city by sending their vote via SMS.

For nearly five centuries, Debrecen has been a vibrant hub of learning, welcoming students not only from across the Carpathian Basin but from 140 countries worldwide. Today, more than 30,000 university students and thousands more in 67 primary and secondary schools make the city a lively, youthful, and dynamic community.

Debrecen is also home to a growing number of young adults who choose to work, build careers, and start families here—thanks to the city’s expanding job opportunities and strong ability to retain talent. The energy and contributions of its youth, combined with the city’s commitment to supporting them, create a model worth sharing with other communities. This is the spirit behind Debrecen’s application for the Youth Capital title.

In this endeavor, Debrecen has partnered with Székelyudvarhely, a centuries-old school town in Székelyland. Together, the two cities aim to strengthen ties, exchange knowledge, and find joint solutions to the challenges facing young people today.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu