Taichung City continues to achieve strong results in promoting youth participation in community development. In recent years, the city has further integrated the Youth Action Grant Program for Community Development, encouraging the youth to apply innovative thinking and diverse skills to projects that are engaging and culturally rich. These include exploring seafood stories from the ocean to the table, skills for building earthen houses, and the techniques of crafting Indigenous bamboo toys. Such initiatives not only spark public interest but also deepen the connection to their homelands while showcasing the vibrant energy of Taichung’s youth.

According to the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taichung City, the Program has attracted local youth to propose highly creative, life-centered projects. This year, three young participants were selected to carry out community-building initiatives.

Chen Tian-Ju, focuses on the culture of Taichung’s fish markets. Through documentary filming, guided tours, and workshops, she leads participants to unveil the mysterious stories of the fish markets, to observe seafood auctions, and understand the traditional hand signals used by 'tiaoshou' during bidding. Her sustainable seafood workshops also convey ocean conservation concepts in fun and accessible ways.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zheng-Jia and Gao Li-Xiang center their projects on cultural heritage. Through guidance and matchmaking by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Zhu entered Xinzhuang Community in Shengang District, focusing on the local earthen houses, leading students in hands-on experiences such as bamboo-woven mud walls and earthen-brick making, helping students build a deeper connection with the land’s history and strengthening community identity.

Gao, an Indigenous youth from Heping District, concerned about the gradual loss of Atayal culture. By interviewing tribal elders and documenting oral histories, he piece together fragments of collective memory. Through a series of experiential courses, including the making of Atayal children’s toys, traditional meat preservation, and mother-tongue learning, he guides younger tribal members in rediscovering their cultural roots and everyday wisdom.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau further noted that youth participation continues to inject new energy into community development. In addition to the Youth Action Grant Program for Community Development, the city also organizes youth networking events and produces podcast episodes in which young participants share their community-building journeys. These platforms foster peer exchange and strengthen connections among young people returning to their hometowns.

Past participants such as Zheng Cheng-Ri from Dajia and Xie Jia-Zhan from Fengyuan have accumulated experience in community resource development and public affairs through community development projects. Both now serve as members of the 4th Taichung Youth Advisory Council and are dedicated to advancing cultural initiatives in their hometowns, contributing to the city’s cultural vitality.

The Youth Action Grant Program for Community Development will continue to be held, aiming to make it a platform for young people returning home. By providing guidance and resource matchmaking, the program helps youth gain a deeper understanding of local culture, ignite a passion for community development, and introduce new perspectives that contribute to Taichung’s sustainable development—creating even more possibilities for community revitalization.