In May 2025, Bucharest took a major step toward upstream prevention. More than 8,000 tenth-grade students across 60 high schools participated in the city’s first Planet Youth survey—marking the beginning of a long-term effort to create healthier environments for youth.

The launch builds on strong public support. In a city-wide referendum held in November 2024, 85% of Bucharest residents voted in favor of funding a comprehensive health education and drug prevention initiative. The local council had already approved the city’s participation in the Planet Youth Guidance Program, with preparations for survey implementation well underway.

In a recent interview with Romanian education outlet Școala9, Planet Youth’s Chief Knowledge Officer, Margrét Lilja Guðmundsdóttir, reflected on what prevention really means in practice:

       “We need to realize that if we have children using substances, it means something is not working in the community.”

She emphasized that there’s no quick fix—only consistent, collaborative work over time.

“There is no magic. What we do is this idea of working upstream, looking for the causes of the problems.”

The Bucharest initiative follows the Planet Youth model’s core principles: grounding action in local data, engaging parents and schools, strengthening protective factors, and ensuring that youth voices are included in the process.

“You’re not the expert who comes and scolds the parents—you need to inform and educate.”

One quote from a student respondent stood out to Margrét:

“Finally, I can say something about my life.”

The city’s next phase will involve sharing results with local stakeholders and building coalitions across neighborhoods to translate insights into meaningful action.

Planet Youth is proud to support Bucharest as it begins this important work—community by community, with youth well-being at the center.