Strengthening the role of young people as key actors in the valorisation and regeneration of European rural areas through participation, storytelling, and social innovation.
Description of the project
Should I Stay Or Should I Go? promotes the active participation of young people in the valorisation and sustainable development of rural and remote areas in Europe.
The project addresses depopulation and territorial abandonment by strengthening young people’s skills in leadership, participatory research, and digital storytelling. Through training pathways, the production of geo-localised podcasts, and cooperation among youth organisations, the project fosters new future visions and encourages dialogue between young people, local communities, and institutions.
Objectives
- To strengthen the role of young people as protagonists in the valorisation and regeneration of rural areas, counteracting depopulation and influencing public decision-making through participatory pathways focused on migration and local resources.
- To develop young people’s skills in community leadership and participatory research, collecting local stories to build a shared narrative of rural and remote territories.
- To increase the attractiveness of rural areas by enhancing local resources and experiences related to territories and migration, strengthening young people’s skills in social research, leadership, and audio production through the creation of geo-localised podcasts.
- To foster synergies among youth organisations in rural and remote areas across Europe, creating opportunities for mobility, training, and active participation, while promoting the direct involvement of local communities in decision-making processes.
- To disseminate and promote the project’s approach and methodologies to ensure replicability and long-term sustainability, guaranteeing wide and inclusive dissemination of results.
Activities
- International training courses and local workshops to develop skills in leadership, participatory research, and digital storytelling.
- Collection of stories and participatory mapping of experiences related to migration, return, and territorial regeneration.
- Creation of geo-localised podcasts sharing the voices and memories of local communities.
- Establishment of the European Youth Council for Rural and Remote Areas to promote policy recommendations and proposals.
- Communication and dissemination campaigns to enhance project results and raise awareness of the vitality of rural territories.
Results
Resources
- “Integrated Community Methodologies” Manual – training guide on participatory and community-based methodologies.
- “Geo-localised Podcasting” Handbook – practical manual for creating territorial podcasts.
- “SOS Geo-localised Podcasts” Audio Series – episodes telling stories of migration, belonging, and territorial revitalisation.
- Policy & Action Proposal Paper – document with proposals for more inclusive and sustainable policies for European rural areas.
Impact
- Direct involvement of 48 young people with fewer opportunities from partner territories, actively participating in training, exchange and community-based activities.
- 24 young people trained through the Community Activation Camp and 24 young people trained through the On Air Camp, developing skills in leadership, civic participation, participatory research and digital communication.
- Production of replicable training and communication tools, including a shared training package, supporting materials and digital audio content focused on migration and local heritage.
- Engagement of local communities, youth organisations, stakeholders and local decision-makers through events, awareness-raising campaigns and dissemination activities, increasing awareness of local needs and of young people’s active role in territorial development.
- Strengthened cooperation between young people, youth organisations and local authorities, improving capacities for co-design and participation in local decision-making processes.
- Consolidation of a transnational network of rural youth organisations, contributing in the medium and long term to more inclusive policies, increased attractiveness of rural areas, and stronger social cohesion and youth participation.
Partners
- Coordinator: Centro per lo Sviluppo Creativo Danilo Dolci ETS, Italy
- Right Challenge, Portugal
- Re-Act, Bulgaria
- Active Youth Institute, Lithuania
- Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (IED), Greece
- Fundación Santa María la Real (FSMLR), Spain
