Young LEADER Forum: Supporting the future of rural Europe
- CAP Implementation
- CAP Strategic Plans
- Generational Renewal
- Green Deal Targets
- LEADER
- Long-term Vision for Rural Areas
- Networking
- Rural Development
- Smart Villages
- Social Inclusion
Young people represent the future of rural areas and a Young LEADER Forum is being organised in June to help reinforce rural youth's involvement with the development of their LAG territories.
The EU CAP Network, together with the Finnish National Network, is organising a Young LEADER Forum on 11-13 June in Vierumäki, Finland.
We are looking to engage with young people from rural areas in all Member States between 18 and 35 years old (with a preference for those under 30).
The LEADER event will enable the voices of young people to be heard through sharing their ideas for action. It will create a space for exchanges on LEADER and cooperation-related topics between youth peers and representatives from Managing Authorities and National Networks.
LEADER's bottom-up and participatory nature can be very helpful in facilitating youth participation in rural development. There are many positive examples of youth engagement and empowerment through LEADER, but there is always scope for a larger number of young people to become more involved in LEADER decision-making and implementation.
Rural youth can provide ideas, inspiration and energy to imagine, create and grasp opportunities for stronger, more connected, resilient, and prosperous rural areas. The Long Term Vision for Rural Areas confirms the important roles that younger generations play in the development of their communities, and a goal of the EU Youth Strategy 2019–27 includes ‘Moving rural youth forward’ by creating conditions which enable young people to fulfil such potential in rural areas.
Interesting examples of LEADER-funded capacity building and other forms of LAG support for rural youth have been presented in publications like the EAFRD [European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development] Projects brochure about Rural youth as leaders of change.
For example, a Policy Insight on LEADER’s potential from a policy perspective notes that “LEADER can be a popular source of rural funding for young people and the methodology has been at the vanguard of valuing young peoples’ potential for improving the current and future prospects of EU rural communities. LAGs have long supported community-led action by and for younger rural residents. This includes building social and human capital through promoting youth entrepreneurship opportunities that can help tackle depopulation pressures and result in Europe’s countryside being considered more attractive to younger generations of farmers, foresters, and other rural residents.”
The EU CAP Network’s Young LEADER Forum will be open to hear fresh ideas and plans for action on how to raise the profile of rural youth voices in their communities and with decision makers. It will help gain an EU-wide youth perspective on LEADER and raise awareness of LEADER among youth organisations and rural youth leaders.
If you are interested in being part of the conversations at the Young LEADER Forum, you can find out more and apply to participate on the event webpage. Registration is open until 5 April 2024.
