The project prioritises Inclusion and Diversity and Participation in Democratic Life as strategic outcomes..General Objectives: Enhance through lifelong learning the awareness, interest, knowledge and participation of young people living in rural and remote areas and facing socio-economic difficulties, in civic participation and community-led local development activities, thereby contributing to community inclusion, social innovation, sustainability growth and quality economic opportunities. Specific Objectives • Promote informal learning and mobility and create key tools to facilitate 32 Young Rural Leaders, to develop skills to effectively engage with local community development groups around topics such as group succession planning and continuity, climate change, digital transition, growth and jobs and good governance. • Create key tools to facilitate community groups, to develop skills to effectively engage with young people to facilitate collaboration, inclusion and innovation at the level of local community organisations. • Strengthen young people's professional and personal development and ability to engage with and contribute effectively to rural community resilience to future civic, social, cultural, and environmental.
Ballyhoura Development and the project partners applied for support for this project to explore and address challenges for (i) young people living in rural areas in accessing volunteer opportunities within local community groups and (ii) community organisations in rural areas that are struggling with succession planning and transitioning of the volunteer base of the group to drive on with the next generation of community-led local development. The project took place in the Context of: (i) Rural Change - Understanding rural change and identifying the needs of communities, particularly young people living in rural areas, to ensure a sustained rural community. (ii) Rural Young People - An inclusive and youth-centred approach is required to address challenges in rural areas such as inclusion, social services, economy, and climate change. (iii) Community Led Local Development - Local actors are considered best placed to identify challenges and maximise the benefit of local assets by working collectively to implement local development strategies (iv) Covid-19 Impact - The crisis highlighted the vulnerabilities of rural areas and a larger impact on young people in terms of inclusion in local food, education and social inclusion.