Towards a European Network for Rural Development: The role of Meridaunia

Description

Meridaunia, as a LAG, has been involved in local development since 1998. In addition to promoting and raising awareness of the European Commission's long-term vision for rural areas, Meridaunia is also committed to enhancing the involvement of young people in decision-making processes and rural development initiatives. In this context, Meridaunia coordinates the community group ‘Youth in Rural Areas: Empowering the Next Generation,’ under the leadership of [name], which aims to strengthen youth participation and create a sense of ownership and protagonism among young people in rural areas.

Through this group, Meridaunia is committed to representing the demands and aspirations of the new generations, actively involving them in local development strategies and rural policies. This commitment takes the form of an ongoing dialogue with policy-makers, ensuring that the voices of young people are an integral part of the discussions on the long-term vision and the Rural Pact, fostering a bottom-up approach in which young people are real actors in the socio-economic change of their territory.

Commitment's information

Stakeholder beneficiary(ies)

Activities

Expected Outcomes

1. Formalisation of the Rural Pact and long-term vision commitment for rural areas with the members of the Meridaunia consortium (CDA members, 30 mayors, private sector, University of Foggia, Chamber of Commerce of Foggia, Region of Apulia).

2. Dissemination and promotion of the Rural Pact and long-term vision for the rural areas towards the local communities (98 thousand inhabitants in the rural area of Monti Dauni) and towards the institutional stakeholders with which Meridaunia collaborates constantly.

3. Activation of the Meridaunia counter of the long-term vision for rural areas, where citizens and organisations (public and private) will be able to discover the advantages of the vision, make proposals, and discover opportunities also through the best practices shared by the network of partners.

4. Continuous education and information towards the pillars of the long-term vision for rural areas (themes already dealt with by Meridaunia in the various Local Action Plans, but which would fall under the umbrella of the vision and shared with national and European partners).

5. Increasing, according to internal financial capacities, funding towards a sustainable transition of agriculture (the driving sector of the Monti Dauni); towards energy transition (already committed with the support to the creation of an energy community of the Monti Dauni with the local Oil Free Zone strategy); towards the empowerment of women (general states of women).

Organisation/Company information