Repopulating the Future

Repopulating the Future is the title of a Youth Exchange project (E+) aimed to link a double concept: repopulating small towns in Europe that are running out of inhabitants and taking care of the surroundings of those localities.

The leaving of the rural way of life by that of the cities has resulted in the massive depopulation of many population centers throughout Europe and with it the abandonment of other more humanized forms of society.

This process is currently a major problem for the policies of countries such as Spain but also for others whose inhabitants are defending their right to live in their villages. Many young Europeans like the life they have in rural areas and many others, who live in the cities, defend the quality of life of the people and would like to return to them.

The OBJETIVE is to put young people from all Europe in contact to hear their voices and transfer it to the appropriate instances: It is not only about seeking innovative alternatives but also defending values related to the culture and traditions that are called to disappear if the villages disappear.

The participants of the exchange will be in their own name but also as representatives of their territories of origin. They will share their experiences and indicate proposals to be taken into account so that their objectives are met.
At the same time they are having the opportunity to learn about the actions of the European Union to face this problem.

The project consists in a one week YE, in Spain, in Albacete (Castilla-La Mancha region).
Previously:

- An APV will be attended by the leaders.
- The partners are organizing the preparations in the participants so that the face-to-face meetings are attended by people who have previously worked on the subject in their populations.
During the exchange:
- Young people will be able to share the work done in their places.
- They will learn about experiences to fight depopulation in areas of the host province and will have the opportunity to meet with policy makers with competence in the subject.
- Through an active methodology, group dynamics will be incorporated and debate will be encouraged, giving rise to both individual and collective reflection.
As a result of the project, the participants will prepare a document, in the format they deem most appropriate, that will be transferred to bodies responsible for the territorial policy of the European Union.
The program, together with the results developed during the exchange, will be available to all interested parties, on a website created for this purpose.