According to the OECD definition of “predominantly rural” regions, Germany’s rural regions accounted for 29% of the surface area, 12% of the population, and 9% of GDP. Using Germany’s classification of rural districts, a smaller unit of analysis, they accounted for 59% of the surface area, 27% of the population, and 21% of GDP. Population growth across rural regions was highly variable, leading to increasing disparities in population density. In East German rural districts, this out-migration, especially of younger populations, compounded by the general aging of the population, was the most severe and was only expected to grow more acute in the future. Unemployment by region type varied between East and West Germany, but high skilled workers were generally lacking in rural areas throughout the country. Rural districts exhibited the highest rates of unemployment within East Germany, although in West Germany, rural districts had lower unemployment relative to urban areas. The share of the labor force that was highly skilled was more than double in core cities than in rural areas. Approximately half of rural residents lived in a rural district in proximity to an agglomeration or urbanized area, providing opportunities for greater urban-rural linkages. In fact, 45% of rural residents lived in districts where at least 50% of its municipalities were located within 30 minutes by car to a supra-regional center. While access to basic public services was assured throughout the country, the range of options was more limited in peripheral rural areas. The future sustainability of public services in some of these regions was of major concern, especially in East Germany. Of the rural population, 31% (6.9 million) lived in districts that were expected to have above-average or high levels of public service sustainability problems in the future. YOUTHX (DE) wanted to help young people who lived in rural areas and wanted to develop. They knew that these young people had exactly the same potential as those living in an urban environment, but their opportunities were limited. Through the project, they would be able to provide them with new opportunities. Ideas were formulated within the framework of the training, which would benefit rural young people. Based on their local research made by each partner between Sept 2020 and Feb 2021 addressing young people, youth workers, teachers, psychologists, local decision-makers, etc. through online and offline tools, they explored the strengths and weaknesses of living in rural areas: Young people in these rural and isolated areas often faced a series of challenges: fewer opportunities for formal and non-formal education, specialized schools and universities as well as youth NGOs were often non-existent; employment, there was a small job market and high unemployment rate among youngsters; leisure time activities, few or no cultural activities such as theater, cinema, concerts; transport and mobility, public transport was often non-existent or very scarce; lack of information about youth-related issues, opportunities, and initiatives; healthcare, the nearest hospital and specialized doctors were far away; frequent alcohol and smoking problems among youngsters due to boredom and lack of opportunities, the local bar was often the only meeting point in the village; infrastructural problems, new technologies lagged behind or were non-existent, with no internet in some areas, less and more expensive access, etc. Nevertheless, the project also had its strengths and opportunities: a close social network to support youngsters in setting up their own initiatives or businesses; good quality of life in terms of living in an unspoiled, natural environment, with plenty of green areas and no heavy traffic, tranquility, and low stress levels, unlike in the cities; rural areas were also characterized as being very family-friendly, with no or low crime rates and, in general, safe environment; strong sense of identity, going hand in hand with many traditions; less focus on consumerism, partly because of lower wages and less availability of shops and choices; opportunities for different outdoor sports such as jogging, skiing, swimming, hiking, and cycling; a healthier lifestyle with sports and outdoor activities, and healthier food, more home-cooked meals, and own fresh vegetable gardens; "everyone knows each other" in rural areas, which helped to gain direct access to the mayor, local media, and build up good contacts; it was easy to get attention and cooperation when organizing projects, holding special events, or doing rural youth work. The overall aim of the project was to gain deeper knowledge on the European Youth Strategy as the main direction of youth work between 2019 and 2027 at the local and European levels. Experienced rural youth workers shared their points of view, experiences, and practices concerning the Strategy and European Youth Work Convention and how to achieve its goals.