Rural Youth Europe

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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

11/06/2026

Could you be part of the next Rural Youth Europe Board?

Gain leadership experience, grow your confidence, make international connections, and help shape the future of rural youth in Europe.

Our current board members say the experience has had a significant impact on both their personal and professional lives.

This summer, we will elect a new Board of Rural Youth Europe. If you're passionate about making a difference and ready for a new challenge, now is the time to consider standing for election.

📅 Apply by 15th of July 2026

Speak to your member organisation to learn more about the nomination process!

11/06/2026

On 23rd June, we will join partners of the European Rural Parliament for a special event in Brussels: Putting Rural Civil Society in Position.

Building on the outcomes of the 6th European Rural Parliament and the Declaration of Inverurie and Call for Action, the event will bring together rural stakeholders, policymakers and EU institutions to discuss how rural voices can shape key European policies in the years ahead.

As Europe prepares for important decisions on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy, Cohesion Policy and the post-2027 EU budget, this discussion will help strengthen the role of organised rural civil society and ensure rural communities remain active participants in decision-making.

Together, we will explore how to organise and amplify the rural voice across Europe and define the future role of the European Rural Parliament in that process.

This is an invitation-only event. A livestream link will be shared closer to the date for those wishing to follow the discussion online.

03/06/2026

The Rural Youth Europe Awards 2026 are officially OPEN for entries! 🎉

Last year, we celebrated inspiring winners from Scotland and Austria who showcased the incredible impact young people, clubs and projects are making in rural communities across Europe. Now, it’s your turn.

We are looking for entries in three categories:

🌟 Inspirational Person of the Year�🤝 Inspirational Club of the Year�🏆 Rural Youth Europe Project of the Year

Whether you know someone making a difference, are part of an inspiring club, or have organised a project or event creating impact in your community - we want to hear from you.

⏰ Deadline: Wednesday 1 July 2026�🌍 All submissions must be in English

Find out more here: https://rebrand.ly/883306

Inspirational Person: https://rebrand.ly/90c426 �Inspirational Club: https://rebrand.ly/4415c6 �Project of the Year: https://rebrand.ly/809bd6

All entries and nominations will be verified through their respective Rural Youth Europe member organisations. Good luck!

21/05/2026

Gamify Rural Youth Work! 🎮 The research paper on rural youth work is out!

The 30 pages long paper provides an in-depth, comparative mapping of rural youth work across 🇬🇪 🇦🇲 🇨🇾 🇪🇺 🇹🇷 🇺🇦, framed within the overarching European Youth Strategy. The paper meticulously traces the historical evolution of the sector, from post-Soviet “Pioneer” legacies and colonial structures to the modern, tech-driven “Resilience Hubs” of today. By analysing the “territorial inequality” that persists across these regions, the study exposes a significant gap in opportunities between urban and rural youth. It highlights how geographical isolation, “Transport Poverty,” and a lack of digital infrastructure continue to challenge the “Right to a Future” for millions of young people living outside major metropolitan centres.

Read the paper and find out more on the project website (link in bio)

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🎮 The project GRYW is 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 the 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.

20/05/2026

How can rural youth organisations become more inclusive, participatory, and truly representative of their communities?

Our new Guidebook “Becoming an Inclusive and Participatory Rural Youth Organisation” explores exactly this.

From tackling barriers faced by young people in rural areas - such as distance, limited services, or social exclusion - to building spaces where youth feel heard, valued, and empowered, this publication offers practical ideas, principles, and examples for organisations working with rural youth across Europe.

Find the Guidebook and all publications of our project Rural Youth Forward in 6 languages on our website (link in bio).

15/05/2026

🎙️ In our NEW episode of Rural Voices, meet Sophie Bell from Ireland - a young farmer using renewable energy solutions on her farm to power water systems, security cameras and animal monitoring through solar energy.

But Sophie’s story is just one part of a wider conversation on how young people across rural Europe are driving the energy transition.

In this episode, we also hear from Marina Sainz de la Maza Ortiz in Spain about the opportunities and challenges of building a community-led energy project in her local area.

From solar-powered farming to grassroots energy activism, this episode explores how rural youth are helping shape a more sustainable future for rural areas.

🎧 Listen now to ‘Powering Change: Young People Leading the Rural Energy Transition’ wherever you get your podcasts!

12/05/2026

Building stronger rural communities across generations 🤝

In this clip from our latest episode of Rural Voices, Landry Gourdon from Familles Rurales in France shares why intergenerational involvement is so important in rural projects.

From supporting elderly people through civic service programmes to creating activities that bring whole communities together, Landry explains how connecting young and older generations can strengthen local associations and rural life.

Hear more from rural youth leaders and community organisers from across Europe in our latest episode, recorded at the first ever European Rural Youth Forward Conference in Piloña, Spain.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/G1IQ9jejV2M?si=MGblTWJUtLjfti6G

11/05/2026

Over the weekend, our Chairperson Ketrin Kastehein and Group 4 Board Member Jana Apala represented Rural Youth Europe at the European Youth Forum General Assembly in Tromsø, Norway 🇳🇴 - the European Youth Capital 2026.

During the GA, delegates elected a new YFJ Board, Financial Control Commission, and Consultative Body on Membership Applications.

It was a valuable opportunity to connect with youth organisations from across Europe, contribute to important discussions, and help shape the future of youth representation at the European level.

European Youth Forum

07/05/2026

We’re proud to publish our new policy paper: The Right to Stay in Rural Areas.

Its publication comes alongside yesterday’s launch by the European Commission of the call for evidence on the Right to Stay Strategy - an important step in the discussion on how Europe can ensure that people are able to remain in their local communities.

As Commissioner Raffaele Fitto stated: “Every European should have the possibility to build a life in the place they call home.”

Drawing on the experiences and ideas shared by our Members, this paper explores the realities young people face in rural areas - from access to housing, transport, healthcare, education, and jobs to opportunities for participation and community life - while also showcasing examples of what already helps young people stay.

For RYE, the right to stay means creating rural areas where young people can choose to build their future with dignity, opportunities, and a strong sense of belonging.

Read the policy paper and join the conversation 👉 https://rebrand.ly/6ce8ef

06/05/2026

Gamify Rural Youth Work! 🎮 The website of the project is now live!

From now on, you can check all project outcomes in one space. Here, you will find information about the project partners, timeline, outcomes and latest news - all in one space!

Take a look here: https://gryw.netlify.app

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🎮 The project GRYW is 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 the 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 EACEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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