Description
The Rural Youth Project was launched in 2018 with the goal of connecting, training, and inspiring rural youth aged 18 to 28 to become change-makers in their communities. Through leadership camps, international exchanges, mentoring, and local projects, the initiative promotes social entrepreneurship and digitalisation in rural areas of Scotland and other European countries. Participants work on projects related to sustainable tourism, renewable energy, agricultural innovation, and community services. The project also includes a digital community offering training, webinars, and networking spaces, strengthening youth voices in decision-making about the future of rural areas.
Innovation
The innovation of the Rural Youth Project lies in its participatory and technological approach: it uses digital tools and social networks to create a transnational community of connected rural youth. It has incorporated Smart Village elements into youth leadership training, integrating digital skills, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, it promotes youth governance models at the local level, allowing young people to co-design solutions for their territory. Its methodology combines in-person and virtual training, project-based learning, and mentoring, creating a replicable empowerment model for other European rural regions.
Why it is inspiring
This project demonstrates the power of youth to transform rural communities from within. Over 1,000 young people have participated in its activities, creating more than 60 local microprojects. Its success lies in turning the “demographic challenge” into an opportunity for youth innovation and leadership. The blend of technology, entrepreneurship, and community action offers a positive narrative for the European rural future. Moreover, its capacity to build international networks among rural youth positions the project as an inspiring platform for initiatives like VILLAHUB, where youth play a central role in sustainable and digital territorial development.
Responsible entity: Scene Connect Ltd and Smart Village Scotland (with support from the Scottish Government and the LEADER Programme)
Location: Perthshire and Highlands, Scotland (United Kingdom)
