Our project aims to tackle the slow integration of young farmers into the agricultural sector, crucial for its sustainability. The primary objective is to transform young people's perceptions of agriculture, encouraging their active participation and interest in rural life. Aligned with Erasmus+ priorities, our goals focus on ensuring food security, promoting environmental respect, increasing the number of young farmers, and reviving interest in agriculture. Our strategies directly address Erasmus+ priorities by fostering sustainability skills in agriculture and enhancing young people's employability through digitization. Anticipated outcomes include an awareness campaign, digitalization training in agriculture, and practical farm visits. These activities aim to bridge the gap between youth and agriculture, sparking their interest and involvement in modernizing the sector. Both Integrity.Earth and Pacto Verde, our participating organizations, are dedicated to environmental sustainability, social innovation, and empowering young individuals, aligning with the project's core objectives.
Our application for this project is driven by the critical needs of young people essential for the future of agriculture and rural development. With approximately 1.2 billion adolescents globally, their potential as a valuable workforce is hindered by high unemployment rates and unattractive working conditions. Moreover, the ageing farming population in developed countries signifies the need for generational renewal in agriculture. Young farmers hold the key to overcoming food security challenges, yet there's a significant gap in their interest in pursuing agriculture as a viable career. Europe, with a mere 10% of farms managed by individuals under 35, faces a concerning trend of rural depopulation and the potential disappearance of farming practices. Aligned with European strategies such as the Green Deal and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), our project aims to address these pressing issues. The CAP objectives, focusing on supporting young and new farmers, resonate with our project's commitment to reigniting youth interest in agriculture through training, skills development, and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit.