Beyond the Peaks: Insights into Rural Youth Work in Tyrol

This study visit will explore the specific challenges young people in rural and remote areas may face, including geographic isolation, limited access to social and educational opportunities, and the effects of rural-urban migration. Participants will discuss how youth work in the region of Tyrol addresses these challenges and contributes to inclusion, participation, and the vitality of rural communities. 

Participants will gain insight into the diverse landscape of youth work in Tyrol, including activities in youth centres, programmes run by youth associations, and mobile or outreach initiatives. Together, these approaches create spaces where young people can meet wherever they are and engage actively in the life of their communities. 

The study visit will bring together up to 25 youth workers from rural areas of programme and partner countries. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss shared challenges, and learn from practical examples of rural youth work in action, while getting a first insight into the wide range of youth work initiatives across the Austrian region of Tyrol. 

Objectives: 

Discuss the different realities of young people in rural and remote areas 
To deepen understanding of the specific challenges faced by young people in different rural and mountainous regions 

• Learn from youth work practice in Tyrol: To become familiar with the diverse landscape of youth work in the Austrian region of Tyrol 
• Share practical approaches supporting youth transitions: To explore concrete youth work methods and programmes that support young people in navigating key life transitions and strengthening their connection to rural communities.
• Strengthen professional competences in rural youth work: To develop knowledge, skills, and reflective capacities by analysing both challenges and effective practices in rural and mountainous contexts. 
• Exchange amongst peers and mutual learning: To create space for youth workers and municipal staff from programme and partner countries to exchange experiences, share good practices, and reflect on shared challenges. 
• Build sustainable networks and future cooperation: To establish professional connections and lay the groundwork for future collaboration and youth projects across rural regions in different countries. 

Target Group:

The study visit targets youth workers, youth project coordinators, and municipal staff involved in rural youth work in their respective countries. The group will consist of up to 25 participants from both programme and partner countries, including at least eight participants from Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. 

Team Composition and Supporters 

This study visit has been developed in cooperation between OeAD | the Austrian National Agency for Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps and the SALTO Eastern Europe and Caucasus Resource Centre and is supported by the Strategic National Agency Cooperation Europe Goes Local and the Strategic Partnership for Inclusion. 

The learning process will be facilitated by Mariia Herashchenko from Vinnytsia, Ukraine and Elisabeth Einwanger from Tyrol, Austria. 

The programme is supported by several regional organisations, to whom we extend our special thanks.