By implementing this project, we wanted to help build new youth spaces and create opportunities in rural areas. This should benefit young people disadvantaged by their geographical location and provide youth organizations with insights on how to engage this target group. By implementing the project, we aimed to empower rural youth in Austria, Hungary, and Italy to become active participants in their communities in order to create safe, dedicated spaces for their peers to gather, share ideas, and engage in meaningful activities. We wanted to provide them with the tools, resources, connections to youth workers, local stakeholders and policy-makers and guidance needed to establish youth clubs and info desks, thereby fostering a sense of community and connection to European values and opportunities like Erasmus+. By developing a Manual and facilitating collaboration between youth, policymakers, and youth workers, we aimed to create a sustainable network of youth spaces across the EU. This project was designed to enhance the social, educational, and cultural opportunities for rural youth, ultimately improving their quality of life and encouraging their active participation in society.
Creating EU Villages wants to address the low youth participation in social and civic life, particularly in rural areas. Our needs assessment revealed that young people in these areas face significant challenges, including a lack of safe spaces, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to information and organized activities, paired with the general difficulty of getting to know and relating to fellow youngsters in their rural areas. These issues are compounded by the remoteness of rural areas, making it difficult for public institutions and organizations to reach and involve these youths. Our needs analysis showed that rural youth feel disconnected from European values and lack knowledge about opportunities like Erasmus+. They also expressed a desire for more guidance on creating youth clubs and becoming active. By empowering them to create their own youth spaces and info desks, we aim to stimulate participation and provide the necessary resources for their growth as multipliers and future peer-to-peer activities in rural areas.