Gremo ven iz mesta!

<< Background >>We applied for the project because we wanted to actively involve young people from rural areas in social activities and increase their participation in local communities. We addressed the need for equal opportunities for young people in rural areas, where opportunities for education, training, and involvement in youth activities were limited. We wanted to increase the competencies of youth workers to work in rural areas, encourage cooperation between local stakeholders, and make youth work more visible and accessible. The project strengthened the resilience and capacity of our organizations with new skills, methodologies, and innovative learning opportunities, and contributed to the development of quality youth work. In doing so, we supported the objectives of the European Youth Strategy 2019-2027, in particular Objective 3 (Inclusive societies) and Objective 6 (A step forward for rural youth). We also addressed common challenges in Italy, Slovenia, Romania, and Serbia, where young people in rural areas risked social isolation, early school leaving, and migration to urban areas due to a lack of opportunities.<< Objectives >>The project objectives were focused on long-term improvement of the quality of youth work in rural areas and on encouraging active participation of young people. We wanted to develop a comprehensive methodology for implementing rural youth work based on the needs of young people and their local communities. This would extend youth work beyond urban centers, where most activities usually take place. The project pursued five main objectives: to develop a methodology for working with young people in rural areas, to train youth workers and others who work with young people to carry out this work, to spread the use of the developed methodology in local environments, to encourage innovative approaches, and to raise the profile of youth work. Another important objective was to raise awareness of the importance of youth work among local communities and to support municipalities in identifying the needs of young people. From a long-term perspective, the project aimed to lay the foundations for integrating youth work in rural areas into permanent local structures, such as regular municipal co-financing.<< Implementation >>In December 2023, we organized an introductory meeting in Brežice, where we set the foundations for cooperation, agreed on management rules, division of tasks, and documentation procedures. Communication took place through online tools, video conferences, and in-person meetings. We carried out study visits to Serbia and Slovenia, explored examples of good practices, and organized local “village games,” where young people designed and implemented the event themselves. In Italy, we held international training focused on exchanging methods and building practical skills.During this phase, an expert from the MaMa Network guided the development of the draft methodology. In Romania, we conducted training on how to use it, followed by pilot activities in each partner country, where youth workers tested the methodology with young people and local NGOs, allowing us to refine and adapt it to real needs. We finalized the methodology in Serbia during the concluding evaluation meeting with partners. In the final phase, we implemented dissemination activities: organized closing events in all partner countries, published the methodology, and prepared digital campaigns and videos.<< Results >>The most important result is a methodology for implementing youth work in rural environments, combining theoretical foundations, practical tools, and recommendations for working with young people in smaller communities. Another key result is the training of youth workers, who gained new knowledge and skills through international training activities and local workshops. The third result is the broader use and recognition of the methodology at the local level, demonstrated through pilot workshops, the involvement of new local associations, and regular field visits to remote areas. Young people have become more active in local initiatives, co-created projects, and participated in planning and implementing events. Together with our partners, we produced five short films about rural youth, the project, and the methodology, as well as an informational leaflet in all partner languages. Our digital campaign included more than 60 social media posts, eight press releases, four press conferences, and four closing events. An important structural result is the inclusion of rural youth work in the regular municipal program of the Municipality of Brežice, which now co-finances and implements activities in at least three remote local communities.