The project “Roots of Change - Rural Empowerment for Youth Employability” was developed in direct response to structural and urgent challenges faced by young people living in rural areas in Portugal and across Europe. Through this youth exchange, we aim to empower young people with fewer opportunities to recognise their potential and explore personal and professional development alternatives within their own territories - reversing the trends of rural exodus, youth unemployment, and digital exclusion. According to Eurostat (2023), youth unemployment in rural areas is, on average, 35% higher than in urban areas, and around 40% of these young people are considered NEETs (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). This situation is further aggravated by population decline - nearly half of Portuguese municipalities have lost residents in the last decade (INE, 2023) - and by the growing devaluation of local knowledge and non-formal skills, contributing to the lack of prospects and rural depopulation. From the perspective of youth work, this project - framed under the Erasmus+ programme and aligned with the EU Youth Strategy 2019–2027 - seeks to create a transformative learning experience that increases employability, encourages social entrepreneurship, and strengthens young people's sense of belonging to their communities. Main objectives and practical approach: 1. PROMOTION OF EMPLOYABILITY AND RURAL SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP Problem (P): Many young people are unaware of opportunities in their communities or lack the skills to take advantage of them. Response (R): Practical workshops on local economy, social innovation, and remote work; development of 6 youth-led pilot projects on rural social entrepreneurship responding to real community needs; creation of a Good Practices Guide for Rural Employability to inspire other young people and youth organisations. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF TRANSVERSAL AND DIGITAL SKILLS P: The DESI index (2023) shows that rural youth have significantly lower levels of digital literacy, which undermines their employability. R: Training in digital tools, online marketing, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving; co-creation of “digital storytelling” content for the MyRuralStory campaign, designed to showcase opportunities and inspiring stories from participants’ home regions. 3. REDUCTION OF ISOLATION AND STRENGTHENING OF SELF-EFFICACY P: Social isolation and low self-esteem limit access to opportunities. R: Team-building activities, sharing circles, and emotional resilience workshops that promote confidence, motivation, and a sense of belonging. 4. CREATION OF LOCAL AND TRANSNATIONAL NETWORKS P: Lack of networks limits access to employment and innovation opportunities. R: Intercultural meetings and networking sessions with municipalities, entrepreneurs, and associations; use of the digital campaign platform to share resources and opportunities beyond the project. 5. VALORISATION OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES P: Negative perceptions of rural life contribute to youth migration. R: Identification and promotion of endogenous resources — from crafts to sustainable agriculture — exploring their economic and social potential. 6. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION OF PARTICIPANTS The project prioritises young people with fewer opportunities, including NEETs, youth with economic difficulties, low educational attainment, or from ethnic minorities, ensuring gender balance and cultural diversity in group composition. 7. SUSTAINABILITY AND WIDER IMPACT Creation of open-access resources (Guide, campaign, pilot projects) and multiplier events with youth organisations and stakeholders to ensure local, regional, and European-level dissemination. Expected impacts: Empower 42 rural young people to become changemakers and social entrepreneurs in their communities. Develop concrete solutions to increase employability and tackle digital exclusion. Strengthen local and European networks of rural youth and youth-led organisations. Promote a positive and sustainable vision for the future of rural territories. Through these actions, Roots of Change will turn young people with fewer opportunities into protagonists of rural regeneration, strengthening the social, economic, and digital cohesion of their communities - in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 4, 8, 10, and 11). The project will use non-formal education methodologies such as world cafés, simulation games, project-based learning, and creative “design thinking” activities, ensuring active, inclusive, and collaborative participation of the youth. These methodologies allow participants to be not only recipients but also co-creators of knowledge, developing autonomy, critical thinking, and innovation capacity. The project's impact will go beyond the direct participants. The Good Practices Guide and MyRuralStory campaign will be shared with youth organisations, schools, and local entities, enabling the replication of solutions.