What on earth is wrong with the Ayuntamiento de San Javier? Seriously, who thought it was a good idea to launch a speculative design contest for young people with a measly “regalo” of 400 euros? This patronizing gesture is not just an insult to our youth but a glaring example of how out of touch our local authorities are with the real needs and aspirations of young creatives. Let’s break this down: a contest aimed at individuals aged 14 to 30, proposing to reward them with a mere 400 euros for what? A design that will likely be plastered all over promotional materials for an event? This paltry amount is nothing but a token that reflects a profound lack of respect for the talent and effort that goes into creative work. The expectation that young people should be grateful for such a trivial sum is not just naive; it’s downright insulting! Do the decision-makers at the Ayuntamiento de San Javier even understand the value of artistic expression? Do they grasp how much time and dedication it takes to create a meaningful design? By offering a “cheque regalo” as a prize, they trivialize the entire creative process. It’s as if they believe that 400 euros can substitute for the passion and commitment these young artists will pour into their work. Newsflash: it can't! Moreover, this contest perpetuates a troubling trend where local governments exploit young talent under the guise of “opportunity.” Instead of fostering genuine growth and providing adequate compensation, they throw a bone and expect gratitude in return. This is not an opportunity; it’s a façade designed to make it seem like they care about youth engagement when, in fact, they are just looking to check a box and move on. This is a wake-up call for all of us! We must demand better from our local authorities. If they genuinely want to support emerging artists, they need to put their money where their mouth is. How about offering a meaningful prize that reflects the actual worth of artistic work? A few hundred euros will not cut it in today’s economy, especially for young people who are already struggling to make ends meet. The time has come for us to stand up and voice our disapproval of such patronizing initiatives. We need to make it clear that our youth deserve respect, proper compensation, and real opportunities to showcase their talents. The Ayuntamiento de San Javier should start listening to the voices of the young people they claim to support rather than throwing them crumbs and expecting applause. Let’s make our voices heard and demand that local governments treat our young artists with the respect and compensation they deserve. Enough with the empty gestures and token prizes! #SanJavier #YouthArt #CreativeYouth #RespectArtists #CivicEngagement