Rural Youth Project – Rural Youth Europe

Rural Youth Europe Awards 2024

Shining a light on the very best of rural youth across Europe and showcasing inspiring projects, people and clubs from within our member organisations.

The Categories

For projects carried out between June 2023 and July 2024.

Rural Youth Project of the Year

A Rural Youth Project is a project where young people have worked together towards a common goal on a voluntary basis. A project in which an individual or group of young people have worked together for the benefit of rural youth, their local community or the greater good.
Inspirational Person of the Year

A young person who has set an example to others and who has been truly inspirational in their actions and/or words.
Inspirational Club of the Year

An exceptional club that has set an example to others and has been truly inspirational in their actions, as well as inspirational in their support to rural youth and/or the local community.

How to submit your project?

Fill in the application form (available to download on the website).
Send in a minimum of 1 photo to support your submission appropriate for social media.
Send the form and photo direct to communications@ruralyoutheurope.com. All entries will be verified with member organisations before judging.
Please send any submissions received to communications@ruralyoutheurope.com by Friday 5^thJuly.
Remember: All submitted materials should be in English.

Please note that by submitting photo material you also agree to it being published on the Rural Youth Europe website and social media channels - please make sure you have permission from members before submitting.

Application Forms

Project of the Year Application Form

Inspirational Person of the Year Application Form

Inspirational Club of the Year Application Form

Prize

As well as recognition for your project on a European level, the winner of each category will receive:

A guaranteed space on an event in 2025
RYE Awards Certificate
A feature on Rural Voices – the Rural Youth Europe podcast
A feature on the Rural Youth Europe Social Media Channels

Judging Criteria

Rural Youth Europe - Project of the Year 2024

We will be judging how well the aim of your project is in line with the overall purpose of your organisation and what the benefits are to your organisation, rural young people and local community.
Level of innovation and creativity in all project phases, such as the planning process, implementation, communication etc.
Level of involvement and volunteering of young people in the planning and implementation of the project.

Inspirational Rural Person of the Year 2024

We will be judging the level of impact this individual has had within their youth organisation and how that may have inspired others.
Level of innovation, adaptability and resilience of the individual.
Level of involvement and volunteering in different projects.

Inspirational Rural Club of the Year 2024

We will be judging the level of innovation, adaptability and resilience of the club.
Level of involvement and volunteering in different projects that benefit members and the local community.

Selection process

The Inspirational Rural Youth Person and Club will be judged internally, with the winner and runner-up announced at the European Rally in August 2024 and via social media.

For the Rural Youth Project of the Year, past RYE Board members will carry out an internal judging process to choose the three best projects to proceed to the second stage of the competition. After the selections, a public voting will take place on the RYE Instagram page. This stage will be worth 20% of the overall score with the project receiving the most ‘likes’ on Instagram gaining 20%; 2nd place 15% and 3rd place 10%.

Unbiased judges will carry out a judging exercise and award points which will make up the remaining 80%. The winning project will be the project which receives the highest scores from public votes and judges votes combined. The winning project will be announced at the European Rally in August 2024 and via social media.

For more information on the awards please contact the RYEurope office by contacting Dan on communications@ruralyoutheurope.com

Winners of the 2023 Rural Youth Awards

This project includes 11 interconnected activities with the aim to improve youth opportunities to influence decision-making processes in rural areas of Latvia, so youth could feel more confident about their ability to initiate changes and feel that they belong to Latvia.

Although she is only 23 years old, Ragnhild has distinguished herself as an important voice for young farmers in Norway. By speaking out in the national media, and by appealing to the Norwegian Parliament, she contributed to getting the issue of farmers rights to receive welfare benefits on the agenda for Norwegian agricultural negotiations.

From an illuminated tractor run raising over £5,000 for charity, to featuring on national news to highlight the importance of young people in rural communities. This club has had an incredibly packed program of activities that has made a profound impact on young people and the local community.