Innovative rural learning to counter youth depopulation in Slovenia's countryside

This innovative LEADER project from the area around Laško, Slovenia, set up a network of new learning facilities in rural areas to develop young people’s deeper understanding of, and hopefully interest in, rural lifestyles. Encouraging young people to appreciate the pecularities of rural life was at the same time a way to counter European actual trend toward rural depopulation. And you, have you a similar project in your village/ county? Don't hesitate to share your experience with us! 

Photo: wikipédia

Youth in mountains

Animated movie made to highlight situations encountered by young people that live or want to move in mountain areas. This topic will be discussed during the VIIIth European Mountain Convention, that will take place in Chambéry France, on 2, 3 and 4th October. Don't hesitate: comment and react!

Developing new young managers’ skills in rural Ayrshire, Scotland

The aim of this project, realized in the framework of the 2011 LEADER Program is to provide practical training, support and guidance to young people, giving them direct experience of managing and working in a bar, developing new skills and opportunities for future employment.

This initiative was hugely successful, especially because of its focus on knowledge exchange and interaction of young people from different rural communities. The friendly and safe environment, promoted by the project actively tackled the growing issue of alcohol and drug misuse and other local issues. And you, are you interested in becoming an entrepreuneur in mountain areas? Don't hesitate to let us a comment!

Predeal, Romania. Training course for youth leaders, sponsored by Youth in Action Program

“Youth in Action” (YIA) is an EU program set up for young people. It promotes mobility within and beyond the EU's borders, non-formal learning and intercultural dialogue, and encourages the inclusion of all young people, regardless of their educational, social and cultural background.

Every year, thousands of projects are submitted by promoters in order to get financial support from the Programme; a selection process aims at granting the best projects.

A fresh initiative in Massif Central, France

3 French girls wanted to start their own firm and decided to put together a project to sell goat milk soaps. It is an initiative which promotes mountain areas because it allows to diversify the local economy using local resources in an innovative way! It was awarded at European Business Game in 2011.
Click here to know more about the European business game http://www.enterprise-ebg.it/index.php

Focus on …Agathe, great outdoors lover

Last week I collected young people’s opinions about what you love about mountains, what attracts you and why you choose them… in short what thrills you or not. Our aim is to let you participate in discussions on this blog, so don’t hesitate to share your opinions, views and photos; this blog is here for you! 

Agathe was the second one to share her aspirations with us: she loves mountains so much that in the future she would like to move there.

What does it mean being young in Europe today?

What does it mean being young in Europe today? And being young in the mountains then? In either case, the problem of employment and mobility are issues that concern us at every level: find a summer job (who has never had a hard time?) or find a job that falls within your area of expertise (which sometimes seems like jumping through a lot of hoops…!) .

And what if the solution was to increase our "employability"? What would you think about it? The programme "Youth on the Move" is part of the UE political strategies for 2014-2020 and provides some keys to understand the phenomenon…

You can watch the video of the presentation here

Focus on : Arnaud, adventure lover

This week I’d like to collect young people’s opinions about what you love about mountain, what attracts you and why you choose it… in short what thrills you or not.

My aim is to let you participate in discussions on this blog, so don’t hesitate to share your opinions, views and photos; this blog is here for you!

Arnaud is the first one to share his feelings with us. He’s a young sportsman who talks about his passion for… mountains of course!