On October 22nd, we conducted a workshop at the Sofitel Brussels Europe about rural youth policy innovation as the European Rural Youth Observatory (EURYO) convened an international workshop to present and refine the FYI-R toolbox—an evidence-based foresight instrument designed to support policy development for rural youth aged 15–29 across Europe and beyond.

Funded by the European Commission through COST Action CIG 18213, the FYI-R initiative draws on locally collected data to inform strategic decisions in four core areas: mobilities, education, employment, and entrepreneurship. The Brussels workshop marked the public release of the toolbox’s first version and invited critical feedback from stakeholders and experts.

The session opened with a welcoming note from Francisco Simões, Chair of EURYO and CIG 18213, followed by an overview of EURYO’s vision and the FYI-R 2.0 roadmap, co-presented with Vice-Chair Tatiana Ferreira. A highlight of the morning was the live simulation of the toolbox by Mariano Soler, Vice-Chair of EURYO, showcasing its practical application and adaptability.

Participants engaged in a plenary discussion facilitated by Simões, offering reflections and recommendations to enhance the toolbox’s relevance and usability. The workshop concluded with a preview of EURYO’s upcoming activities and next steps for FYI-R deployment at national and European levels.

This event reaffirmed EURYO’s commitment to empowering rural youth through participatory, data-driven policy tools and international collaboration.