The role of youth in rural development

Key points

The EESC:

• calls for holistic and cross-sectoral approaches to address challenges present in rural areas, such as depopulation, inadequate services, and obstacles to personal and professional growth. Such approaches should include rural proofing and the EU Youth Test to ensure the effective and lasting implementation of EU policies, reducing inequalities between rural and urban settings and enhancing the attractiveness of rural areas for young people by ensuring equal access to services, infrastructure, and opportunities;
• calls for participatory pathways for generational renewal, intergenerational cooperation and inclusive governance, ensuring the meaningful and structured engagement of young people in decision-making processes at all stages and levels. It also emphasizes the crucial role of initiatives like the Rural Pact, Erasmus+, and the European Solidarity Corps to empower young people;
• highlights the importance of ensuring quality employment opportunities, access to education, support for entrepreneurship, and access to land for young people in rural areas.