Purpose: To investigate the effect of Quality of Participation Experiences (QPE) on youngpeople’s perceptions about the Young Mayor project’s impact.Design/methodology/approach: This study explores statistical analyses (i.e., cluster analysisand linear regression analysis) of a survey sample (N = 961) involving young people agedbetween 12 and 18 years to assess differences between groups reporting different levels ofQPE (i.e., low, medium and high).Findings: Participants who had participation experiences with higher developmental quality(i.e., with effective and meaningful opportunities for action and reflection) are more involvedin the Young Mayor project, have more positive perceptions about it, and report more civicand political participation experiences in their communities.Research limitations/implications: The cross-sectional design of this study does not allow tomake causal inferences. Therefore, a longitudinal study should be conducted to clarify therelationship between the dimensions under analysis, promoting a better understanding of theimpacts of the Young Mayor project on young people’s attitudes and perceptions.Practical implications: Local projects should promote participation experiences with higherdevelopmental quality to foster their impacts on young people.

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Civic and Political participation,young people,local project,survey,QPE

• Educational Sciences - Social Sciences