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Young people develop a new community-led rural tourism initiative

LEADER-led bottom-up youth action in rural Hungary diversifies the rural tourism sector through a creative venture that celebrates unique community cultural attributes.
  • CAP Implementation
    • - Programming period: 2014-2022
    Veszprém County, Ungarn
    - Programming period: 2014-2022
    Veszprém County, Ungarn

    General information

    RDP Priority
    • P6. Social inclusion and local development
    RDP Focus Area
    • 6B: Local development
    RDP Measure
    • M19: LEADER/CLLD
    Beneficiary type
    • Non-governmental organisation

    Summary

    LEADER helped launch a local Hungarian history project for young people, based around an international community archaeology camp, four historical walks and two historical roundtables. Local young people gained valuable work experience through involvement in a project that utilised regional culture and rural community identity to empower younger generations while enhancing social cohesion. The young people brought fresh perspectives and new ideas from rural youth, which can be useful for revitalising Europe’s countryside as it evolves and adapts to changing socioeconomic conditions.

    Participation in such LEADER action allows young people to develop a sense of belonging to their communities. This empowerment can lead to increased civic engagement and responsibility, as they recognise their role as active contributors to societal well-being. Projects rooted in local culture serve as a platform for preserving heritage while simultaneously promoting contemporary expressions of identity. Consequently, this dual focus fosters intergenerational dialogue and strengthens community bonds.

    Results

    • More people are visiting Nagyvázsony’s new tourist attraction based on community archaeology with a historical walk.
    • New income for the rural economy and local entrepreneurs (accommodation, restaurants, shops, Castle entrance, etc.).
    • Better connections between young people and community development support services.
    • Local history was featured in an English-language visitor leaflet about the excavation conducted by an international group of young people.
    Kinizsi castle in Nagyvazsony, Hungary
    Promoter

    Fekete Sereg Ifjúsági Egyesület

    Funding

    Total project cost: 33 575 (EUR)
    RDP support: 12 406 (EUR)
    Private/own: 620 (EUR)
    Other: 20 549 (EUR)

    Ressourcen

    Context

    In the context of rural development in Europe, engaging young people in bottom-up community-led local development projects helps foster sustainable growth and resilience. By involving youth in initiatives that emphasise local culture and community identity, these projects empower the younger generation and enhance social cohesion. Young individuals bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, which are crucial for revitalising rural areas that may otherwise struggle to adapt to changing socioeconomic conditions.

    Participation in such initiatives allows young people to develop a sense of belonging to their communities. This empowerment can lead to increased confidence in civic engagement and responsibility, as younger generations recognise their role as active contributors to societal well-being. Projects rooted in local culture serve as a platform for preserving heritage while simultaneously promoting contemporary expressions of identity. Consequently, this dual focus fosters intergenerational dialogue and strengthens community bonds.

    LEADER-led bottom-up approaches can encourage the diversification of local rural economies through creative ventures that celebrate unique cultural attributes. As young people engage with local resources and traditions, they can stimulate entrepreneurship and job creation within their communities. Ultimately, supporting youth involvement in community-led initiatives addresses immediate developmental needs and cultivates a sustainable future by nurturing resilient communities steeped in cultural richness.

    In rural Hungary, LEADER support helped local young people introduce a new tourist attraction featuring a historical walk and community archaeology linked to the remains of Kinizsi, a famous medieval figure and lord of the castle of Nagyvázsony.

    Objectives

    LEADER support was used to:

    • Expand the Nagyvázsony tourist attraction.
    • Create novel local opportunities for young people to gain work experience.
    • Foster a sense of ownership by actively involving youth in rural development systems.
    • Help the youth develop a personal stake in their communities, thereby enhancing their commitment to local culture and identity.
    • Engage and empower them to voice their perspectives, promoting democratic participation and civic responsibility.
    • Provide a platform for skills development that enables young people to gain practical experience in project management, teamwork and leadership through culturally rooted projects.
    • Bridge generational gaps through collaborative efforts to foster intergenerational dialogue, promoting mutual understanding and respect.
    • Encourage the youth to explore and celebrate their unique cultural narratives through creative expression.

    Activities

    Project actions targeting these objectives organised:

    • An international community archaeology camp for 15 days, led by two archaeologists and county museums, for six hours a day.
    • Four historical walks in Nagyvázsony with local product tasting.
    • Two historical roundtables in Nagyvázsony. The first one was a presentation of Magyar Benigna, the lady of the castle. The second event highlighted the results of the community archaeology actions.

    Main results

    • More people are visiting Nagyvázsony’s new tourist attraction based on community archaeology with a historical walk.
    • New income for the rural economy and local entrepreneurs (accommodation, restaurants, shops, castle entrance, etc.).
    • Better connections between young people and community development support services.
    • The excavation camp and historical walk initiated by local young people attracted the attention of the county museum of Veszprém, so the organisers established a new relationship with them. Schools from the area visited the excavation. Thanks to the media's interest, the project was able to attract new followers.
    • Local history was featured in an English-language visitor leaflet about the excavation conducted by an international group of young people.
    • Online platforms, such as Instagram, allow for the creation of reel videos to reach young people not only locally but also nationwide and beyond.

    Key lessons

    • Involving young Europeans in bottom-up community-led local development projects helps foster sustainable and culturally rich communities.
    • The importance of local culture and identity can be used to enhance participation and embed and nurture a sense of pride among residents, thereby strengthening social cohesion
    • Collaboration is a critical factor for LEADER project success. By involving diverse stakeholders, including local governments, businesses, and non-profit organisations, young people are encouraged to work collaboratively towards shared goals. This collective effort promotes innovation and ensures that various perspectives are integrated into project planning and implementation.
    • Capacity building can be tailored to foster empowerment, equip young people with civic skills, such as project management and leadership, and enable them to take ownership of their initiatives. This investment in human capital is key for long-term sustainability and rural resilience.
    • Encouraging flexibility allows projects to pivot when faced with challenges or changing circumstances, ensuring their relevance over time.