Rural Youth Alternative Futures: new narratives and possibilities

OBJECTIVES

• Integrate theory and practice: develop a solid understanding of community approach
• Transter participatory methods: acquire skills in community-based methodologies, learning how to engage, mobilise, and empower communities effectively
• Analyze key rural challenges: gain insights into pressing issues such as social and territorial cohesion, rural youth mobilities, educational pathways in rural contexts, youth entrepreneurship in rural areas, decent and meaningful jobs in rural areas, strengthening local communities to respond to rural youth needs 
• Develop context-specific approaches: learn how to adapt interdisciplinary frameworks to design culturally and socially responsive community initiatives
• Expand professional networks: connect with emerging scholars, practitioners, and international experts shaping the future of rural community development

Attending this course will let you acquire the following outcomes and skills certified by an Open Badge

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Acknowledging demographic trends associated with rural youth
• Identifying rural entrepreneurship dimensions and best-practices

SKILLS

• Application of co-design for developing formal and non-formal education programmes
• Use of the decent jobs perspective for designing labour market interventions for rural youth

PROGRAMME

The programme combines conceptual frameworks, empirical evidence, and applied perspectives to address the structural and emerging challenges shaping rural youth lives across Europe. Through keynote lectures, thematic sessions, and interactive discussions, participants will engage with core domains such as rural youth mobilities, education and skills pathways, decent and meaningful work, youth entrepreneurship, and community resilience, all situated within broader debates on territorial cohesion, social inclusion, and sustainable development.

The programme includes a field visit to Terinov Science and Technology Park, offering direct contact with local entrepreneurs and place-based innovation initiatives in a rural island and outermost context.

The program includes a total of 40 hours of interactive training, combining lectures, thematic sessions, and participatory workshops.

Method of teaching: The learning process is supported by stimulating teaching methods such as case discussions, guest speakers and participatory methods. During the course there will be also some field trips.

Course readings and materials: All readings and lecturers’ materials will be available on EURYO online forum.

The course takes place at the Centro Interpretativo de Angra do Heroísmo (Azores, Portugal)

Registration fees

• Early-bird, by 30 April: 400€ + 22% VAT
• Final deadline: 30 June: 475€ + 22% VAT

The fee includes:

• course attendance and teaching material
• coffee break on Summer School days 
• lunch on Summer School days 
• certificate of attendance
• accommodation for 5 nights in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island 

Payment can be made by:

• by credit card
• by bank transfer to the bank account indicated in the confirmation email you'll receive once the enrollment process is ended
• The receipt of bank transfer has to be sent by email to daniela.veritierovitulano1@unicatt.it no later than 5 days after registration. In two weeks you are going to receive the invoice by email.

Participants will be admitted in order of enrolment

Terms & Conditions and Cancellation Policy

1. Early registration must be accompanied by payment. Otherwise, it will not be processed and the standard registration rates will be applied.
2. Registrations are for the person acquiring the registration and paying the registration fee. Registrations are non-transferable.
3. The organization will not be held liable for any costs, damages, or losses related to medical issues, accidents, travel disruptions, or any other incidents occurring before, during, or after the summer school. No coverage of such expenses will be provided by the organization.
4. Registration fees will only be refunded if the notice of cancellation is received by until 1 June 2026. The cancellation fee is €50.
5. Cancellations after 1 June 2026 and no-shows are not eligible for a refund.
6. There is no reason for registration cancellation that makes the above-mentioned deadline for cancellations inapplicable.

• EURYO - European Rural Youth Observatory

• Program Rural Youth MARCH 2026.pdf

For further information:

• Vladislava Lendzhova: euryo@euryo.org  
• Daniela Veritiero Vitulano: daniela.veritierovitulano1@unicatt.it