Join, transform and lead: youth and LEADER move rural Europe forward
- CAP Implementation
- Generational Renewal
- LEADER
- Sustainability
- Social Inclusion
- Long-term Vision for Rural Areas
Over 200 LEADER enthusiasts gathered in Finland to discuss ways to increase the power of young people in LEADER design and implementation, planting seeds for an international youth LEADER community.
The EU CAP Network’s Young LEADER Forum event brought together motivated young people, between 18 and 35 years old, from rural areas across all 33 European countries. This included people connected with LEADER at local level, as well as with organisations and administrations at regional, national and EU level. The forum was organised in Vierumäki (Finland) in close cooperation with the Finnish National Network and was the first opportunity for the EU CAP Network to highlight the added value of youth engagement and empowerment in the implementation of the LEADER approach.
The intensive two-day programme included plenary and group discussions, dynamic activities and field trips to LEADER-funded projects in the area – all co-designed and co-led by the young ambassadors (most between 18 and 35 years old) joining from 33 countries across the EU and beyond. The young participants were actively involved in the facilitation of group discussions, reporting, and an exciting orienteering session, which led to innovative ideas to promote rural youth involvement in the design and implementation of LEADER. Traditional food and sauna experiences provided long-lasting memories, as testified by the enthusiastic social media coverage of the participants volunteering as ‘communication stars’.
The first day of the forum (12 June) focused on understanding the young participants' experience of how LEADER implementation could work for them; exchanging approaches to increasing the power, participation and commitment of young people in LEADER policymaking and implementation; and discussing ways to foster an international young LEADER community. Participants shared inspiring insights, particularly about the need to involve more young people in Local Action Groups (LAGs) and ways to increase the power of youth in LEADER policy-making.
It’s wonderful to see actions proposed by young people at this event, but we need LAGs to be part of the movement too. LAGs should take action to create groups to share youth projects. This will be the beginning of something greater.
When I came here, I was keenly aware of the struggles we young people face in trying to make our voices heard, but since so many of us have come together in an event suggested by the European Commission, what gives me hope is the realisation that we are not alone, that the struggles we face are shared, and that the EU is listening.
The second day was devoted to field trips that helped inspire and build an understanding of how LEADER implementation could work for young people. Participants had a chance to visit local associations and venues that support youth entrepreneurship, culture and art, and sports and nature-based activities. Details about these initiatives are provided in the resources section of the event page.
Several young participants said they would take home the motivation to continue their work on LEADER, amplify young voices and ensure youth participation. Participants committed to acknowledging the potential of rural youth in the EU and beyond.
I owe special thanks to the inclusion of participants from non-EU countries. This was a great opportunity to see diverse perspectives and experiences, and to connect with young leaders from different cultural and social contexts. This forum has left a lasting impression on me and I am sure that the knowledge and experience I have gained will be of great use in the future. I look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and contribute to the community.
The event marks the first stepping stone in building a community of young people involved in LEADER across Europe. Young participants are keen to stay in touch with their newfound friends via social media (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook and others) while the EU CAP Network will eagerly share any progress on this in the upcoming months. It was also suggested that participants would try organise similar events at the national level to enlarge the youth LEADER community, which Finland is already doing. Other ways to foster this community, such as an online digital platform or a monthly newsletter, will also be explored. Look out for the report with the main outcomes of the forum which will be published soon on the event page.
