European Rural Youth Summit [ERYS] 2025 – Together for today!

The main goal of the summit is to empower rural youth across Europe by promoting wellbeing, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and facilitating dialogue between young people and European decision-makers.

Moreover, this year, we aim to build on the achievements of the first two editions of the summit, ensuring its legacy while focusing on the expansion of the European Youth Village program across Europe. This 3rd edition also marks the official launch of the European Youth Village program in Slovakia. 

Organized under the umbrella of the European Youth Village program, ERYS is more than a meeting; it’s a movement towards strengthening rural youth networks, amplifying the young people’s voices, and driving tangible change across the European rural communities. 

Apply before 30th of June  2025 and be part of a decisive moment where collaboration and action converge to shape the future of rural Europe!

Objectives:

Expand the European Youth Village model to a broader European context, building a strong framework for sustainable rural youth leadership and community-driven development, while ensuring local relevance in diverse rural settings.

Equip rural youth with the knowledge, skills, and platforms to actively participate in policy-making processes, advocating for their specific needs and wellbeing at both national and European levels.

Create opportunities for direct dialogue and collaboration between rural youth and European decision-makers, fostering mutual understanding and building long-term partnerships that contribute to more youth-centric policies.

Generate a comprehensive policy recommendation, ensuring it reflects the voices of young people and the realities of rural life across Europe.

The policy recommendation will focus on two key strategic priorities:

Promote a holistic approach to mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing tailored to the unique challenges faced by rural youth, ensuring they have the tools and resources necessary for personal development and resilience.

Facilitate meaningful intercultural dialogue that fosters mutual understanding, reduces isolation, and promotes inclusive rural communities where diversity is celebrated and integrated.

What will happen during the event?

The summit will feature a series of interactive workshops, panel discussions, and cultural exchanges aimed at exploring the challenges and opportunities related to rural youth wellbeing. Participants will collaborate in designing innovative solutions to improve the quality of life in rural areas. The event will also include strategic planning sessions for the European Youth Village program’s expansion and will officially launch the Slovakian pilot program.

Why participate?

Participate in high-level discussions with decision-makers to advocate for the specific needs of rural youth and to help shape policies that address these needs.

Explore challenges and opportunities related to mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing in rural communities while fostering mutual understanding and celebrating diversity.

Contribute to the development and scaling of the European Youth Village program, ensuring its relevance and adaptability to diverse rural contexts.

Help draft and refine a comprehensive policy recommendation focused on promoting rural youth wellbeing and facilitating meaningful intercultural dialogue.

Learn from experts and peers through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and strategic planning sessions designed to enhance leadership, advocacy, and community development skills.

Celebrate diversity and enrich your perspective on rural youth initiatives across Europe.

Join a growing European movement dedicated to empowering rural youth, advocating for their rights, and fostering resilience and inclusivity in rural communities.

Gain knowledge about Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps initiatives and explore how these programs can support your personal and professional development.

Contribute to long-term strategies that ensure rural youth across Europe have access to the tools, platforms, and resources they need to thrive.

Who should apply?

Rural youth from across Europe: Young people aged 16-30 who live in or come from rural areas in Europe. They can be students, workers, entrepreneurs, or activists who are passionate about rural development and want to make a difference in their communities.
Underage participants may join only if accompanied by an adult.

Experts and practitioners in the field of rural youth sector: youth workers, community organizers, representatives of non-governmental organizations interested in scaling the European Youth Village program in their countries and other experts who have a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing rural areas in Europe.

Policymakers and decision-makers: representatives from the European Union, national and local governments, and other organizations involved in rural development and rural youth sector. They will be invited to participate in the summit to engage in dialogue with rural youth and to learn about their perspectives and experiences.

Organizers:

The event is organized by OZ Vidiecky parlament mladých na Slovensku (Rural Youth Parliament in Slovakia) and NIVAM – Slovak National Agency for Erasmus+ in the field of Youth and Sport, in collaboration with the European Youth Village’s Governance (Active Development Association - ADA and Go Free Association) and the Romanian National Agency for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps (ANPCDEFP).