The project objectives were focused on long-term improvement of the quality of youth work in rural areas and on encouraging active participation of young people. We wanted to develop a comprehensive methodology for implementing rural youth work based on the needs of young people and their local communities. This would extend youth work beyond urban centers, where most activities usually take place. The project pursued five main objectives: to develop a methodology for working with young people in rural areas, to train youth workers and others who work with young people to carry out this work, to spread the use of the developed methodology in local environments, to encourage innovative approaches, and to raise the profile of youth work. Another important objective was to raise awareness of the importance of youth work among local communities and to support municipalities in identifying the needs of young people. From a long-term perspective, the project aimed to lay the foundations for integrating youth work in rural areas into permanent local structures, such as regular municipal co-financing.
We applied for the project because we wanted to actively involve young people from rural areas in social activities and increase their participation in local communities. We addressed the need for equal opportunities for young people in rural areas, where opportunities for education, training, and involvement in youth activities were limited. We wanted to increase the competencies of youth workers to work in rural areas, encourage cooperation between local stakeholders, and make youth work more visible and accessible. The project strengthened the resilience and capacity of our organizations with new skills, methodologies, and innovative learning opportunities, and contributed to the development of quality youth work. In doing so, we supported the objectives of the European Youth Strategy 2019-2027, in particular Objective 3 (Inclusive societies) and Objective 6 (A step forward for rural youth). We also addressed common challenges in Italy, Slovenia, Romania, and Serbia, where young people in rural areas risked social isolation, early school leaving, and migration to urban areas due to a lack of opportunities.