On 7th and 8th of May, Martin Siemen, Vice Chair for External Affairs at Rural Youth Europe, had the opportunity to participate in two important events that are shaping the future of agriculture and rural development in the EU. The first was the 2nd Youth Policy Dialogue hosted by Commissioner Christophe Hansen and the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development . The second was the Conference on the Vision for Agriculture and Food, where he presented the outcomes of the dialogue and gave Rural Young People across Europe a voice.
Around 30 Representatives from a diverse group of Youth organisations focussing on Farming and Rural Development participated in the Youth Policy Dialogue. Martin engaged in fruitful discussions focused on the upcoming Generational Renewal Strategy, particularly addressing access to land and finance. The conversations with the participants and the Commissioner led to several key conclusions:
- Land Concentration and Availability: The group identified land concentration and the availability of land at fair prices as significant obstacles for young farmers. To tackle this, they proposed establishing a strong regulatory body to oversee land distribution and use. They also suggested replacing the hectare-based criteria for CAP subsidies with criteria that prove sustainable and active farming.
- Financial Support: Young farmers require more tailored financial support that caters to all kinds of farming. New entrants, in particular, struggle with starting capital and bank collaterals. The group advocated for specific loan models and supported insurance schemes to help young farmers navigate times of instability.
- Long-term Profitability: Generational renewal can only occur if young farmers can start with a long-term profitable business plan. The participants emphasized the need to utilize the insights of the AFCO (EU agri-food chain Observatory) and implement measures to guarantee future-proof, fair prices for the high-quality products that European farmers produce.
Building on these outcomes, Martin had the honor of speaking at the Conference on the Vision for Agriculture and Food, which centered on the theme of ‘Shaping the future of farming and the agri-food sector.’ The panel he spoke on focused on ‘Building an attractive farming sector for the future: fostering investment and entrepreneurship for generational renewal.’ With Rural Youth Europe’s priorities in mind, he highlighted the importance of looking at the bigger picture. Generational renewal is not possible if young people do not want to stay or return to rural areas. Therefore, rural development is crucial and needs more focus. To create vibrant rural areas, he emphasised the following needs:
- Improved Infrastructure: Enhanced infrastructure is essential for the development of rural areas, making them more accessible and connected.
- Improved Basic Services: Affordable housing, childcare, and healthcare (including mental healthcare) are crucial for attracting and retaining young people in rural areas.
- More Social and Cultural Opportunities: More social and cultural opportunities are needed to make rural areas more attractive and vibrant.
- Enhanced Civil Space: Public spaces where young people can meet, learn, participate in society, and develop a sense of belonging are vital for fostering a sense of community.
- Rural Proofing: Rural areas and communities are not just a single topic. In their diversity, they need to be reflected in all policy areas. Therefore, rural proofing of all EU policy is necessary to ensure that the unique needs and challenges of rural communities are addressed.
