Nomadland: digitalni nomadi - priložnost za evropsko podeželje

<< Background >>The European countryside is facing the challenge of youth emigration, which is a consequence of a lack of employment and educational opportunities. However, especially after the COVID crisis, a new trend is emerging: remote work. Thus, on a global scale, the number of younger digital nomads, who are rediscovering the countryside, is increasing. Digital nomadism can be a positive example for the countryside, as it contributes to the immigration of young people to the countryside in a short term. In fact, 42% of digital nomads are aged between 25 and 42 years. New solutions are also needed for youth work in the countryside. Youth work is often associated with urban areas, whereas the countryside requires different solutions – interdisciplinary and inclusive. The project was related to the European Youth Goals, especially the sixth goal, A Step Forward for Rural Youth, which highlights a positive image of the countryside and more opportunities for young people.<< Objectives >>Within the framework of the project, Id20 Institute was joined by the ATPERSON (Spain), INI-Novation (Germany), and Udruga Prizma (Croatia). All partners operate in the areas facing youth outmigration. Throughout the project, we explored the field of digital nomadism and identified to what extent it can be linked to the field of youth work in the countryside. By reviewing good practices, we found out positive examples in Europe that can serve as a model for other areas. We believe that the countryside is suitable not only for retaining young people but also for attracting digital nomads (and other urban residents). In the project, we particularly wanted to highlight the regions in which we primarily operate – Idrija, Cuenca, Bergstrasse-Odenwald, Iž, and Gračac. The project focused on the stories of young people, as they are the ones who connect and make a place interesting for living. << Implementation >>Within the framework of the project, we:-conducted research on how digital nomadism can positively impact the development of youth and the quality of youth work in rural and peripheral areas. We presented our work in a special magazine, Nomadland;-created a guide, Beyond the City Lights, which assists youth workers, decision-makers, and others in attracting digital nomads;-developed the Nomadland platform, where the countryside is showcased through the stories of young people and digital nomads in rural areas;-organized 4 local and 1 pan-European event for youth workers, where we developed more than 20 solutions to attract digital nomads to the countryside in connection with youth work and brought together young people, decision-makers, and youth workers to create new ideas for the local community;-prepared the first strategy for attracting digital nomads to the countryside, with a special emphasis on youth work;-organized training for youth workers, which connected and united 20 youth workers from across Europe.The Nomadland project, in addition to providing new solutions for youth work in the countryside, also highlighted young people who, with digital nomads, gained new opportunities in the local environment.<< Results >>Within the framework of the project, we developed:-Nomazine (IO1), a magazine featuring 21 good practices, 12 interviews with digital nomads, and a survey of digital nomads.-Beyond the City Lights guide (IO2), a unique guide for establishing retreats in the countryside, offering valuable information for financing such retreats and the first strategy for attracting digital nomads to the countryside in the field of youth work.-The Nomadland platform (IO3), serving as an entry point for young people (digital nomads) seeking life and opportunities in the countryside.-Events (E1-E4) through which we pilot tested our work in 5 project areas, discovered more than 20 ideas in the local environment, and empowered young people in finding solutions.-An online webinar (E5), through which we introduced the project to over 50 youth workers across Europe, uncovering new opportunities for the development of youth work in the countryside.-A strong dissemination, reaching a broad target group in the fields of youth work, rural development, digital nomadism, and even tourism.