Empowering rural youth: enhancing community-based projects
In rural areas across Europe, young people often encounter the harsh reality of unemployment and limited educational prospects, leaving them at risk of social exclusion, in particular for those identified as NEETs (Not in Employment, Education, or Training).
To help tackling this pressing challenge, the European Rural Youth Observatory has released a policy brief titled "Enhancing community-based projects for rural youth NEETs: Policy recommendations."
The policy brief focuses on identifying projects that promote social inclusion and empowerment for rural NEETs. By examining the barriers and obstacles faced by these initiatives, the brief offers practical recommendations to support and overcome challenges.
Community-based projects have proven to be effective instruments in addressing the specific needs of rural NEETs. The highlighted projects, spanning over 14 countries and encompassing 43 initiatives, aim to facilitate labor market integration and the resumption of educational trajectories for unemployed young adults aged 20-29. These projects leverage existing local resources and networks within the community, emphasising the crucial role of social networks in enhancing the quality of life and social inclusion of rural NEETs.
These community-based initiatives showcase the potential of local-scale projects in addressing the social inclusion of vulnerable groups like rural NEETs. To delve deeper into the comprehensive policy briefing and explore these inspiring projects, read the full policy brief here.