LEADER has been at the vanguard of efforts to value young people’s potential to improve the current and future prospects of rural communities within the EU. Local Action Groups (LAGs) have long supported community-led action by and for younger rural residents. This includes building social capital by promoting youth entrepreneurship opportunities that can help tackle depopulation pressures and results in rural areas being considered more attractive to younger generations as popular places to live, work and visit.

 ‘Rural youth as leaders of change’ was the topic of a European Network for Rural Development (ENRD) Projects Brochure published last year. Its interesting content highlights the role of rural youth in providing ideas, inspiration and energy to think up, create and grasp opportunities for stronger, more connected, resilient and prosperous rural areas. CAP-funded projects featured in the publication include showcasing LEADER success stories from Luxembourg and Poland that help young people meet their own aspirations in the rural economy.