Rural Youth Europe

Rural Youth Europe is an international non-government organisation promoting rural youth issues and supporting rural youth organisations in Europe.

The main themes we work on are:
- Youth participation
- Exchange of best practice
- Intercultural dialogue
- Sustainable regional youth work
- Participation in the formation of (rural) youth policies
- European citizenship
- Networking between rural youth organisations
- Intercultural learning through participative youth work

08/10/2026

Meet our new Group 1 Board Member, Joanne Hall!

Joanne joins the Rural Youth Europe Board representing our member organisations across group 1 (UK and Ireland).

From Lanarkshire in Scotland, Joanne has been a member of Carluke Young Farmers, part of SAYFC, since she was 14 and has held a number of roles at both local and national level.

Her RYE journey began back in 2018, when she helped showcase Scottish culture through Highland dancing at the European Rally in Scotland. She returned to the Rally as a participant in Slovenia in 2025 – and now begins a new chapter as a member of the RYE Board!

We caught up with Joanne to hear more about her Young Farmers journey, why she wanted to represent Group 1 and what she hopes to achieve during her mandate.

Read the full blog on our website!

And keep an eye on our channels over the coming days as we introduce the other new members of the Rural Youth Europe Board!

SAYFC Young Farmers

07/10/2026

What does inclusion look like in practice? 🤔

Last month, Christian Ganhör from Landjugend Österreich represented Rural Youth Europe at the SALTO Inclusion & Diversity Forum 2026 in Finland, joining around 150 participants to exchange experiences and explore how EU Youth programmes can become more inclusive and accessible.

From accessible facilities and quiet spaces to sign language interpretation and support for different needs, Christian came away with plenty of practical examples of how inclusion can be considered throughout an event.

In our latest blog, Christian shares his key takeaways from the forum, what he learnt from others working across youth programmes in Europe, and why considering the different barriers young people face matters.

Read Christian’s reflections on our website here: https://rebrand.ly/6roclpz

06/10/2026

What are the risks of AI for rural young people?

Misinformation, losing creativity, environmental impacts and knowing what we can actually trust online – our European Rally participants had plenty to say.

This is just one part of the conversation from our latest Rural Voices podcast, where 26 participants from across Europe shared their different perspectives on AI and its place in our rural communities.

The episode is OUT NOW! Watch on our Rural Youth Europe YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfvSQIdo0j0, or search for ‘Rural Voices’ on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

The European Rally was co-funded by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe and Movetia.

05/10/2026

A new chapter begins!

Over the weekend, RYE’s outgoing and incoming Boards came together in Málaga 🇪🇸 for a few days of sharing, learning and looking ahead.

From collective and one-to-one knowledge transfer to team building, dividing portfolios and setting the vision for the next term, the handover was all about making sure experience is passed on while creating space for fresh ideas and new energy.

Thank you to the outgoing Board for everything you’ve contributed, and welcome to the new Board. We can’t wait to see where you take RYE next!

02/10/2026

Our latest episode of Rural Voices brings together voices from across our member organisations, sharing their thoughts on the opportunities, risks and practical uses of AI 🎙️

A huge thank you to all 26 participants who got behind the microphone during the European Rally! 💚

The episode is OUT NOW! Watch on our Rural Youth Europe YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfvSQIdo0j0, or search for ‘Rural Voices’ on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

The European Rally was co-funded by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe and Movetia.

01/10/2026

What does the rise of AI mean for rural young people across Europe?

In our NEW episode of Rural Voices, we're in Switzerland for the European Rally 2026, where participants explored leadership in the age of artificial intelligence.

In the episode we hear directly from 26 different young people from across Europe.

How is AI already helping rural young people? What are the risks of becoming too reliant on it? And where does it fit within our rural youth organisations?

From farming, education and remote working to misinformation, creativity, privacy and human connection, our participants share plenty of different perspectives on where AI could take us next.

Watch the full episode on our Rural Youth Europe YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/AfvSQIdo0j0?si=VBv3zMrEbgHtgjHd

Or search for ‘Rural Voices’ on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

The European Rally was co-funded by the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe and Movetia.

28/09/2026

Gamify Rural Youth Work 🎮 Gamification tool: Gamify is out!

We are happy to introduce the Gamifyouthwork.org website, aiming to gamify the non-formal learning process that organisations like RYE can use to raise the motivation of young people and bring fun to youth projects.

Try it as an organisation or individual, create an account and use the tool for free!

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🎮 The project GRYW is a 23-month-long project under the Erasmus+ KA2 CBY call that aims to promote innovative grassroots youth work in rural communities of partnering countries by integrating gamified non-formal learning with digital tools in youth work.

🇪🇺 Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

25/09/2026

🚨 Open Call: Youth Policy Dialogue on AI and the Future of Work

Are you interested in how artificial intelligence is changing the world of work?

Rural Youth Europe is looking for rural young people aged 18–30 residing in Europe to take part in a Youth Policy Dialogue with Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu of the European Commission.

📅 10 November 2026�📍 Brussels, Belgium�💬 In English

The Dialogue will focus on the impact of AI on work, particularly entry-level jobs and young people's transition into employment.

This is an opportunity to share your experiences and ideas directly with the European Commission and contribute to discussions on Europe’s future of work.

Travel, accommodation and subsistence costs will be covered by the organisers.

⏰ Apply by Wednesday 30 September, 23:59 CET.

We especially encourage applications from new rural youth voices who are not usually represented in European policy discussions.

👉 Find out more, check the eligibility criteria and apply here: https://rebrand.ly/2tj0hf1

24/09/2026

Bringing rural youth voices to the table in Dublin! 🇪🇺

Last week, our Vice Chairperson for External Affairs, Jana Apaļā, represented Rural Youth Europe at the third Youth Policy Dialogue with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen.

The two-day visit began at Ireland’s National Ploughing Championships, before Jana joined young farmers and representatives from across Europe in Dublin to discuss the future of livestock farming and generational renewal.

Participants worked with DG AGRI to develop key recommendations before taking part in a dialogue with Commissioner Hansen and MEP Maria Walsh.

💬 “Events like this are especially important for Rural Youth Europe because we have the opportunity to represent rural areas and young people from across Europe, bringing together different experiences and challenges into the conversation.”

For RYE, being part of these discussions means ensuring the experiences and perspectives of rural young people across our network are represented at European level.

Read more about Jana’s visit on our website here: https://rebrand.ly/grubxu6

📸 ©European Union, 2026.

Macra na Feirme

10/09/2026

After three years on the Rural Youth Europe Board, including the past year as our Chairperson, Ketrin Kastehein has officially signed off 💚

From representing rural youth across Europe to working alongside our members, partners, Board and Secretariat, Ketrin has played an important part in RYE’s journey over the past three years.

As she steps away, Ketrin has shared a final message reflecting on her time with RYE, the people who have been part of it and why the opportunities we create for rural young people matter.

Thank you, Ketrin, for everything you have given to Rural Youth Europe. We wish you all the very best for whatever comes next!

Read Ketrin’s full final message on our website here: https://rebrand.ly/92fibm8

“Ketrin’s out!”

Noorteühing Eesti 4H

Adres

Rue Des Deux Églises 14
Brussels

Telefoon

+358452345629

Website

http://www.ruralyoutheurope.com/

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