European Rural Youth Summit

WHY? (mission and objectives)

Organized under the umbrella of the European Youth Village Program, the European Rural Youth Summit aims to strategically develop the rural youth ecosystem in Europe by bringing together young people from rural areas across Europe, youth workers, youth organizers and decision makers and provide a platform for them to raise their voices and share their experiences and perspectives on rural youth work and rural development.

One of the main results is to ensure the setting up youth ecosystems around the European Youth Village concept in as many European countries as possible in the following years.

The objectives of the event are:

• To create a space for dialogue between rural youth and decision-makers on the challenges and opportunities facing rural areas in Europe in order to empower rural youth to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives and communities
• To provide a learning and participation context for rural youth to engage with experts and peers on rural development issues and to develop their knowledge and skills and to promote the role of rural youth in shaping the future of Europe 
• To raise awareness of the importance of rural development and to support the development of policy recommendations and proposals for improving the situation of rural youth in Europe.

WHO? (target groups)

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

Logistics and organizers

The event will take place in Aroneanu – one of the villages that holded the European Youth Village title in 2021. The participants will be accomodated in double rooms in 3* hotels in Iași. Transfer by bus will be provided each mornining an evening between the locations (15 - 20 minutes by car). 

Iași is the main air entrance in Romanian Moldova and its international airport has connections with abig variety of cities all over Europe. 

The event is organized by the European Youth Village Program’s Governance (Active Development Association ADA and Go Free Association) and the Romanian National Agency in charge with Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps, together with the young people and the mayor’s office from Aroneanu.