Start with children 2025

A conference focused on building better cities for children

13 –14 May 2025
Old Market Hall, Bratislava

Reclaiming Cities for Childhood

Housing for thriving childhoods Neighborhood design Connecting Children to Nature Playable neighborhoods Design of Play and more...

What’s good for children is good for everyone

In the second year of the summit, we’ll explore how to make this a reality. We will open topics such as intergenerational housing, public health, child and youth participation, the role of communities in children’s development and cities’ resilience to climate change.

Inspiring sessions and accompanying events await you in the iconic Old Market Hall in the historic centre of Bratislava. Join us!

<h2>What’s good for children is good for everyone</h2>

The first year was a fantastic success

In May 2024, we spent two days in the heart of Bratislava packed with lectures, discussions, workshops and networking with urban planning experts and mayors of world capitals.

Almost 600 participants experienced the atmosphere of the first year of Start with children, as well as the charm of the Slovak capital, and took home inspiration for their own work.

<h2>The first year was a fantastic success</h2>

“A fantastic balance between practitioners, thought leaders, policy makers, funders, and political willpower to affect real change.”

Meghan Talarowski

“I don’t think I’ve been to a more exceptional event (and in nearly 30 years of working on this stuff, I've been to a lot!).”

Tim Gill

“The event gave me real hope that there are innovative and practical solutions to the major challenges we face, it is just a matter of implementation.”

Nikhil Chaudhary