LEADER Youth Community at the opening of European Youth Week 2026
European Youth Week 2026, organised by the European Commission, takes place from 24 April to 1 May, bringing together young people from across Europe to promote youth engagement, participation, and active citizenship. The week officially kicked off on 24 April at the European Parliament in Brussels, where the LEADER Youth Community, part of ELARD, took part in the opening event alongside more than 1,000 participants.
A central highlight of the day was the stand in the marketplace hall, hosted by the LEADER Youth Community. Six participants – Irene and Juan (Spain), Lorine (France), Julia (Germany), Jozef (Poland), Josip (Croatia), and Michael (Sweden) – took turns representing the community, engaging with visitors and presenting opportunities for youth involvement in rural development.
The programme also included plenary sessions and discussions in the auditorium, featuring exchanges with Members of the European Parliament and other stakeholders. Throughout the day, the event offered strong opportunities for networking, connecting young people from different countries and backgrounds and fostering new ideas and collaborations.
The plenary opening session of the European Youth Week kick-off event is available to watch online.
About the LEADER Youth Community
LEADER Youth Community is a European network within ELARD that brings together young people engaged in rural development. Through collaboration, exchange of experiences, and joint initiatives, the network strengthens youth voices and their role in shaping the future of rural areas across Europe.
This participation highlights ELARD’s continued commitment to supporting youth engagement and fostering collaboration across Europe’s rural communities, contributing to more inclusive and sustainable rural development.