LEADER Youth Community Supports Open Letter to the EU Council on Rural Youth Engagement
In May, the LEADER Youth Community took part in a Youth Policy Dialogue in Brussels, where young delegates from across Europe gathered to discuss the future of agriculture and rural development. As a result of this event, an open letter has been sent to the EU Council, co-signed by several youth-related organisations – including ELARD through the LEADER Youth Community.
The letter highlights the importance of youth participation in shaping rural policies and places a strong emphasis on initiatives like LEADER and CLLD. Already in the second paragraph, the role of these tools is made clear:
“EU initiatives like LEADER and CLLD play a crucial role in fostering local engagement, supporting youth-led projects, and building vibrant, inclusive rural societies.”
The message is clear: to retain and attract young people in rural areas, policies must provide holistic opportunities – supporting not only economic development but also cultural, social, and civic engagement.
We will keep you informed if a response is received from the Council.
Read more about the LEADER Youth Community
Read the full letter