European Economic
and Social Committee
REFLECTIONS BY CIVIL SOCIETY PARTNERS: Building resilient communities
Empowering rural youth: the foundation of a resilient Europe
Resilient communities are built locally, with people at their core. From the perspective of Rural Youth Europe, achieving resilience across Europe requires a stronger, more coherent commitment to rural areas – not only as places facing structural challenges, but as living communities essential to Europe’s future.
Resilience is not only about the food chain: it is about people, social ties and the vitality of communities. When crises hit, it is local communities that respond first, supporting one another. This social resilience underpins both agriculture and the EU’s overall capacity to withstand shocks.
Climate resilience and the green transition must also be firmly anchored in rural realities. Through our project Powering Change, we work with young people to advance community-based energy solutions and promote local ownership. These initiatives show the potential of rural youth to lead a just and inclusive transition, but they require scaling up, targeted investment and sustained support.
We must also strengthen local youth participation structures. Rural young people need permanent and meaningful roles in decision-making – through youth councils, co-management systems and community-led platforms – so that policies reflect real needs. Our network demonstrates that organised rural youth is a powerful enabler of resilience: it helps young people overcome barriers, create opportunities and build a sense of belonging. Initiatives such as the Rural Youth Forward Conference show how empowering young people to organise themselves allows them to become active changemakers. Supporting rural societies and creating environments where youth can lead is therefore essential.
Finally, policies must move beyond sectoral approaches to recognise rural areas as living communities. While some of the frameworks announced at EU level highlight opportunities, they are not yet matched by concrete commitments or consistent policy focus. We would like to see an increased allocation of financial resources to rural objectives, with a clear framework ensuring these funds effectively target rural areas and their sustainable development. European instruments such as LEADER-CLLD, which aim to support community-led local development, remain essential, yet their future is uncertain. Continued, strengthened and adequately funded support for rural areas and local cooperation is critical.
Investing in cohesion, attractiveness and strong rural societies is a prerequisite for a resilient Europe.
Chairperson, Rural Youth Europe
© Photo by Daniel Grist