rural youth news

From 20 to 22 October 2026, more than 80 participants from across Europe gathered in Przygoń, Poland, for the international meeting "Space and Participation: Strengthening Rural Youth's Democratic Participation", the second event organised within the framework of the Rural Map project. The event brought together young people, educators, local authorities, researchers, NGOs, and project partners to explore how rural youth can play a stronger role in democratic life and local d

We're completing our introductions to the newest members of the Rural Youth Europe Board, finding out more about their backgrounds, their involvement in rural youth organisations and what they hope to bring to RYE during their mandate. Finally, meet Vendija Volosovska, our new Group 4 Board Member, representing our member organisations across Eastern Europe. Vendija comes from Jaunsaule, a small rural village in Latvia, and has been involved with Latvian 4H since 2017. With a

We're continuing our introductions to the newest members of the Rural Youth Europe Board, finding out more about their backgrounds, their involvement in rural youth organisations and what they hope to bring to RYE during their mandate. Next up, meet Saga Leppiviita, our new Group 3 Board Member, representing our member organisations across the Nordic countries. Saga is from Finland and has been actively involved with Finnish 4H since 2023. What started as an opportunity to tr

We're continuing our introductions to the newest members of the Rural Youth Europe Board, finding out more about their backgrounds, their involvement in rural youth organisations and what they hope to bring to RYE during their mandate. Next up, meet Eva Seibl, our new Group 2 Board Member, representing our member organisations across Europe. Eva is from Tyrol in Austria and has been actively involved with Rural Youth Austria (Landjugend Österreich) for many years, including s

We’re introducing the newest members of the Rural Youth Europe Board and finding out a little more about their backgrounds, their involvement in rural youth organisations and what they hope to bring to RYE during their mandate. First up, meet Joanne Hall, our new Group 1 Board Member, representing our member organisations across the UK and Ireland. Joanne is a member of the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) and has already been involved with Rural Youth Euro

Last month, Rural Youth Europe was represented at the Inclusion & Diversity Forum 2026, organised by the SALTO Inclusion & Diversity Resource Centre at the Pajulahti Olympic & Paralympic Training Center in Finland. Bringing together around 150 participants from across Europe and beyond, the forum provided a space for people working across youth work, policy, research and inclusion to share experiences, learn from one another and explore how EU Youth programmes can become more

Are you interested in how artificial intelligence is changing the world of work? Do you have thoughts about how AI is affecting young people's opportunities, careers and entry into the labour market? Rural Youth Europe is looking for rural young people aged 18–30 residing in Europe to apply for a Youth Policy Dialogue with Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu of the European Commission. 📅 Date: 10 November 2026 📍 Location: Brussels, Belgium 💬 Language: English The

Rural Youth Europe’s Vice Chairperson for External Affairs, Jana Apaļā, represented our network in Ireland last week, taking part in the third Youth Policy Dialogue with European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen. The two-day visit on 16–17 September brought together young farmers and representatives from youth, agriculture and rural organisations to discuss the future of European livestock farming and generational renewal. Visiting the National Ploughi

"Dear Rural Youth Europe, I lived a double life for three years. One in English and one in Estonian." When I tried to explain to people outside of RYE what I had been doing in Europe, it was hard enough to do it in English. Then I realized I didn't even know the words in my own language. Sometimes it really felt like a parallel universe – other friends, other jokes, other topics. But what is RYE doing? I heard over the past three years that we have changed lives, there’s frie

Rural Youth Europe is looking for an experienced trainer and facilitator to support the design and delivery of a Capacity-Building Seminar from 1-4 November in Bilbao, Spain. About the Project The Capacity-Building Seminar "Powering Change: Young Leaders for Energy Communities" will take place from 1–4 November 2026 in Bilbao, Spain, as part of the project "Powering Change: Empowering Rural Youth for Energy Communities." The activity will bring together 25 rural youth represe

Vacancy at Rural Youth Europe: Project and Partnerships Officer The Projects and Partnerships Officer will be responsible for developing, managing and expanding Rural Youth Europe's project portfolio and strategic partnerships. The role will focus on identifying funding opportunities, building relationships with partners and donors, developing project proposals, and coordinating European projects with a particular focus on agriculture, rural development, innovation, sustainab

We are proud to announce that Rural Youth Europe has joined the Fast & Fair Renewables and Grids Initiative, a European coalition of stakeholders advocating for a faster, fairer, and more inclusive deployment of renewable energy and grid infrastructure across Europe. As Europe accelerates its energy transition to meet its climate goals, it is essential that the development of renewable energy projects benefits not only the environment, but also the people and communities at t

YOUTH IMPACT: Engaging politics, building communities - A new Erasmus+ KA2 project engaging young people in civic participation and community building Europe (February 2026) The project brings together eight European organisations to strengthen youth participation in democratic life and support young people in becoming active members of their communities. The initiative responds to several pressing challenges affecting young people across Europe, including low levels of polit

On 12–13 June, Rural Youth Europe’s Vice-Chairperson for External Affairs, Martin Siemen, travelled to Brussels to participate in the 4th EU Youth Stakeholders Group Meeting. The EU Youth Stakeholders Group was established by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) as part of the legacy of the European Year of Youth 2022. The group brings together representatives from EU institutions, Member States, National Youth Council

Rural Youth Europe is pleased to launch the Rural Youth Europe Awards 2026, celebrating the young people, clubs, projects and events making a positive impact in rural communities across Europe. The awards recognise individuals and initiatives that inspire others, strengthen communities and demonstrate the value of youth participation in rural areas. Whether you are part of an inspiring club, know someone making a difference, or have organised a project or event that has creat

We are delighted to welcome Michela Procoli to our growing RYE secretariat team! Find out more about her in her own words: Hello RYE network! My name is Michela, I am 31 years old and I come from a teeny tiny village lost in the mountains of central Italy, although I haven't lived there since I was 16. In fact, over the past 15 years, I have lived in an additional 7 countries, beginning with my AFS year in the USA (2011-2012). Since then, I have more or less kept the suitcas

Our team is continuing to grow. We are delighted to welcome Greta D'Emilio to the RYE secretariat team! Find out more about her in her own words: Ciao! My name is Greta, I’m 29 and I come from Ros à , a little town near Venice in the north of Italy. I just moved to Brussels to join RYE’s team as Project and Communications Officer. New job, new city, new opportunities! I’m really excited for this new chapter and to be part of an organisation that works on topics so close to m

Piloña (Asturias), Spain | 24 February – 1 March 2026 Over 100 rural youth leaders, policy-makers, and stakeholders gathered in L’Infiestu, Piloña, for the European Rural Youth Forward Conference 2026 – “From Vision to Action.” Organised by Rural Youth Europe (RYE) in collaboration with EPA! – Rural Youth of Spain , the four-day event highlighted the importance of bringing rural young people and policy-makers together to co-shape practical solutions for rural communiti

Piloña (Asturias), Spain | 24 February – 1 March 2026 Around 100 rural youth leaders and European policy-makers will gather in L’Infiestu, Piloña (Asturias, Spain) for the European Rural Youth Forward Conference 2026 – “From Vision to Action” , a high-level event dedicated to strengthening inclusive and participatory rural youth policy-making across Europe. Organised by Rural Youth Europe (RYE) in collaboration with EPA! – Rural Youth of Spain , the conference will bring to

The First Transnational Project Meeting (TPM) of the new ‘Gamify Rural Youth Work’ project was held successfully in December last year. From 17 to 18th December 2025, partners gathered in Paphos, Cyprus, for a kick-off meeting. As a result of two working days, the work plan and timeline were created, and the next steps of the project were planned. What is the Gamify Rural Youth Work project? This is a Erasmus+ KA2 CBY project that aims to promote innovative grassroots you