EURYO publishes the Rural Youth Alternative Futures Manifesto: a collective call to shape the future of rural Europe
Developed through the EURYO Summer School 2026 in the Azores, the Manifesto sets out six key priorities to strengthen opportunities, inclusion and youth participation in rural communities.
The European Rural Youth Observatory (EURYO) is pleased to announce the publication of the Rural Youth Alternative Futures Manifesto, a collective document reflecting the perspectives, aspirations and proposals developed during the EURYO Summer School 2026, held from 7 to 11 September in Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, Portugal.
Co-organised by EURYO and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, the Summer School brought together young people, researchers and practitioners in a collaborative environment dedicated to exploring new narratives and possibilities for rural development.
Through participatory workshops, exchanges of experiences and collective reflection, participants examined some of the most pressing challenges facing rural youth, including limited access to education and employment, territorial inequalities, inadequate transport and connectivity, housing difficulties and insufficient participation in decision-making.
The resulting Manifesto delivers a clear message: rural young people should have the freedom to stay, leave, return and build meaningful futures, without their opportunities being determined by where they live.
Six priorities, one shared vision
The Manifesto outlines six strategic priorities: mobility and connectivity; decent and meaningful employment; inclusive education; entrepreneurship and innovation; community belonging and participation; and access to affordable housing.
Together, these priorities offer a comprehensive vision of rural development that recognises young people not simply as beneficiaries of public policies, but as active contributors to their communities and essential partners in shaping their future.
A central message runs throughout the document: policies affecting rural youth must be developed with young people, not merely for them.
Beyond the Summer School: turning ideas into action
The publication of the Manifesto represents an important step in extending the outcomes of the Summer School beyond the event itself.
The document calls upon policymakers, public institutions, educational organisations, employers, researchers and civil society to respond to young people’s priorities through concrete actions, sustained cooperation and transparent accountability.
Participants also committed to sharing the Manifesto, challenging negative stereotypes about rural areas, promoting inclusion and supporting further dialogue across countries and communities.
For EURYO, the Manifesto provides a valuable foundation for strengthening research-informed advocacy, supporting meaningful youth participation and fostering cooperation among stakeholders working towards more inclusive and sustainable rural futures.
Read and share the Manifesto
EURYO invites its members, partners, youth organisations, researchers and policymakers to read the Manifesto, share its recommendations and contribute to advancing its vision.
The future of rural Europe cannot be built without the young people who live there. Their voices, ideas and aspirations must be at the centre of that process.
Read and download the Rural Youth Alternative Futures Manifesto.
