Rural Youth Europe was founded as a European Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Rendsburg, Germany in 1957. It was formerly named “European Committee for Young Farmers and 4H Clubs”. The current name, Rural Youth Europe, was adopted in 2004.

The first steps of the organisation were taken after the Second World War, when leading persons of British, Scandinavian and Central European rural organisations wanted to establish their vision of a pan-European network. Later on, Southern and Eastern European members joined to develop the organisation. Today, 26 member organisations from 23 countries and more than 500,000 young people are part of Rural Youth Europe.

The main idea of Rural Youth Europe was to bring together the traditional out-of-school organisations of Western and Central Europe and the in-school organisations of Scandinavia. Leadership trainings, courses, seminars, exchanges and other practical activities were organised in order to encourage this idea. These activities received funding from local sponsors and then later by the Council of Europe and the European Commission.

Today the three main activities of Rural Youth Europe are the Spring Seminar, the Autumn Seminar and the European Rally. Especially the European Rally has a long history and is a fundamental part of RYEurope activities. The first Rally was held in 1960 in Zuidlaren, Netherlands. Over the years the European Rally has become a major event on the calendars of all member organisations. It is a cherished prize to be selected as a representative.

Chairpersons of Rural Youth Europe

• Michael Schwab (Germany), 2010-
• Robin Swann (Northern Ireland), 2008-2010
• Delme Harries (Wales), 2006-2008
• Franz Frensl (Austria), 2004-2006
• Linda Steele (Northern Ireland) 2002-2004
• Dace Gigele (Latvia), 2000-2002
• Neil Sands (Scotland) 1998-2000
• Erling Mathiasen (Denmark), 1996-1998

Secretary Generals of Rural Youth Europe

• Amanda Hajnal (Finland), 2008-
• Eija Kauniskangas (Finland), 2006-2008
• Sabine Klocker (Austria), 2003-2006
• Kaspar Poter (Germany), 2001-2003
• Claudia Merk (Germany), 1997-2001

• 1960 Zuidlaren, Netherlands, 1st Rally
• 1961 Ulster, Northern Ireland
• 1962 Vestfold, Norway
• 1963 Rendsburg, Germany
• 1964 Aberystwyth, Wales
• 1965 Barmeveld, Netherlands
• 1966 Edinburgh, Scotland
• 1967 Bergamo, Italy
• 1968 Gormonston, Ireland
• 1969 Wien/Klagenfurt, Austria
• 1970 Päivölä/Sääksmäki, Finland
• 1971 Münsingen, Switzerland
• 1972 Odense, Denmark
• 1973 Germany
• 1974 Maidenhead, England
• 1975 Amot, Norway
• 1976 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
• 1977 Trento, Italy
• 1978 Satila, Sweden
• 1979 Greenmount, Ulster, Northern Ireland
• 1980 Netherlands
• 1981 Scotland
• 1982 Barau, Bern, Switzerland, Nutrition and conservation of nations food supplies
• 1983 Horsens, Denmark, Local Community Prospects- Young Peoples Function in Rural Districts
• 1984 Termonfecking, Co. Louth, Ireland, Self Help
• 1985 Aberystwyth, Wales
• 1986 Quern, Schleswig Holstein, Germany, Women and Girls in Society: Yesterday- Today- Tomorrow
• 1987 Turku, Finland, Learning and Earning trough Nature
• 1988 Hampshire, England
• 1989 Greenmount, Antrim, Northern Ireland, A Celebration Of Rural Skills and Traditions
• 1990 Gothenburg, Sweden, Nature and Human Being
• 1991 Edelhof, Austria, Protecting Environment and nature it to protect ourselves
• 1992 De Glind    Netherlands    Europe 1992- It’s just a beginning
• 1993 Melsom, Norway, Rural development and cultural identity
• 1994 Drogheda, Ireland, Emigration and Migration
• 1995 Edinburgh, Scotland, Qualities of Life
• 1996 Zollikofen, Switzerland, Limits-Encounters
• 1997 Triesdorf, Germany, Keeping Diversity – Forming Europe
• 1998 Horsens, Denmark, Give and take from your youth organisation in Europe
• 1999 Warsaw, Poland, Youth unites Europe – chances, opportunities, perspectives
• 2000 Llanfairpwll, Wales, Back to the future
• 2001 Nurmes, Finland, Nature – Source of creativity
• 2002 Salzburg, Austria, Water – Source of life
• 2003 Flekke, Norway, Ocean of Opportunities. Coastal, cultural and social value
• 2004 Antrim, Northern Ireland, Conquering Conflict Across Cultural Divides
• 2005 Perth, Scotland, Expanding Horizons: One Europe – Many Cultures
• 2006 Druva, Latvia, Pearls in Contrast – Multicultural Aspects of Rural Youth
• 2007 Bad Sassendorf, Germany, Future under construction – Youth at work in Europe
• 2008 Landquart, Switzerland, Nature and technology - the challenge for youth in Europe to find the balance
• 2009 Jäneda, Estonia, Beware - Active Youth!
• 2010 Halmstad, Sweden, DIY in the countryside: think global, act local, be vocal!
• 2011 Ruše, Slovenia, Be active – get better opportunities in life!