LEADER Youth Community at the European Rural Parliament: Our Reflections
The European Rural Parliament (ERP) once again proved to be a key moment for rural communities across Europe to come together, exchange experiences, and raise shared priorities. This year, the LEADER Youth Community had two board members in place, Irene and Alba. They were proud to participate and ensure that the voices of rural young people were strongly represented.
Steering committee members: Irene Martín and Alba Tema
ERP provided dedicated spaces for youth to speak openly about the realities of living in small municipalities. From everyday challenges to innovative solutions that are already working on the ground. Having young participants from diverse backgrounds, ages, and regions enriched the discussions and brought forward a wide range of perspectives on issues such as climate change, housing, and rural mobility.
A central message emerging from these conversations was the importance of inclusive and intergenerational cooperation. This was clearly reflected in the Declaration of Inverurie, which highlights the need to create spaces where all voices, including youth, can take part in shaping decisions that affect rural futures.
For the LEADER Youth Community, taking part in ERP was an important opportunity to reinforce our commitment: building more inclusive, resilient, and youth-friendly rural areas through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and strong local engagement.