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RuralYouthFuture project welcomes new partner from Backa, Serbia

The RuralYouthFuture project, led by the Galicia Europa Foundation, is excited to announce the addition of its newest partner, the Regional Development Agency of Backa, Serbia. As a Discovery Partner, Serbia’s inclusion strengthens the project’s mission of collaborating with countries in the process of joining the European Union to address the needs of rural youth across Europe.

The RuralYouthFuture initiative, launched under the Interreg Europe program, focuses on improving youth employment policies to foster sustainable development in rural regions. The project brings together representatives from Spain (Galicia), Bulgaria, Slovenia, Latvia, Estonia, Portugal, Belgium, and now Serbia, uniting these regions to tackle the unique challenges faced by young people in rural areas. This effort, actively supported by the Xunta de Galicia, includes familiarising candidate countries with EU policies and guidelines, as part of preparing for EU membership.

A Common Goal: Addressing Youth Needs in Rural Regions

The core mission of RuralYouthFuture is to unite municipal, regional, and national organisations around the shared goal of addressing rural-specific challenges. The project focuses on four primary aims:

  • Reducing inequalities between rural and urban areas through expanded youth employment opportunities.
  • Countering rural depopulation and ageing by attracting and retaining young talent.
  • Empowering rural youth by enhancing job opportunities and working conditions.
  • Promoting sustainable rural development through digital skills training and modern work models.

Since the project’s approval in December 2022, partners have been exchanging best practices to strengthen rural youth development across their respective regions.

New Collaboration with Serbia

Since July, the Regional Development Agency of Backa, Serbia, has been an active participant in the RuralYouthFuture scheme. This collaboration, encouraged by Interreg Europe, enhances the project’s efforts by adding Serbia’s perspective, resources, and experiences to support rural youth across Europe.

About RuralYouthFuture

RuralYouthFuture is a European initiative aimed at improving youth employment policies to promote sustainable rural development. By addressing rural-specific challenges, such as depopulation and resource inequality, the project strives to create a brighter future for young people in rural Europe. The initiative emphasises six key policy areas at local, regional, and national levels to help rural youth build sustainable futures.

For more information, visit: https://www.interregeurope.eu/ruralyouthfuture.

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