Facts and news: Erasmus+ in rural areas

The facts and news introduced in the seminar:

• An overview of how rural areas are defined and addressed within the European policy context, providing key conceptual and policy references that help situate youth work within the broader transformations affecting rural communities across Europe, presented by Alessia Bertuca.
• How much of Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes are used in the rural areas – statistics by the RAY Transnational Research Team
• The United Kingdom is rejoining the Erasmus+ Youth Programme in 2027. Gillian Cowell from the British Council, the UK National Agency, will share this exciting news.
• The current Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programme period is ending in 2027, and preparations for the new programme period (2028–2034) are already underway. Andreas Bosshard from SALTO Inclusion & Diversity will provide an update on the future programme period and its inclusion and diversity priorities.
• Examples of how the programmes are being used in rural areas. Organisations from across Europe will share how Erasmus+ and ESC projects have transformed their work with young people.
• This seminar follows the residential training course "Youth Work in Rural Areas – European Seminar", held in May 2026 in Manosque, France. Silvia Di Passio from the Italian National Agency will summarise the key takeaways from the event.

Who should join

This seminar is for representatives of organizations working in rural areas, who:

• Work with young people or plan to start working with youngsters;
• Have the interest, capacity and support to implement Erasmus+: Youth in Action and European Solidarity Corps projects
• Are able to work in English.

Programme

13:00 Welcome and framing

13:15 The Research Picture: What do we know about the situation of young people and youth work in rural Europe?

14:20 BREAK (10 min)

14:30 What does change look like in practice? Testimonials of the organizations using Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes for rural youth

15:40 BREAK (15 min)

15.55 Looking Ahead: where are the programmes heading, and what does this mean for rural youth work?

16:45 The end of the seminar

All times are in Central Europe Time, please convert them to your local time zone!

Please note that the organisers reserve the right to make changes to the programme if necessary.

The Strategic Partnership on Inclusion (SPI)

This activity is part of the Strategic Partnership on Inclusion (SPI). The Strategic Partnership for Inclusion is a Strategic National Agency Cooperation. It aims to increase the participation of young people with fewer opportunities and facilitate access of new organisations in the Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programmes. For detailed information please view: www.salto-youth.net/rc/inclusion/inclusionfornas/spinclusion

This training course is organised under the rural strand.