Juventud Rural Activa: Participación y Futuro en Jaén

About the project

With this project we aim to empower rural youth in the province of Jaén to become active protagonists in the social, cultural and environmental processes of their municipalities. Our main objective is to strengthen youth participation in rural contexts where depopulation, unemployment and the lack of dialogue spaces limit young people’s opportunities. Specifically, the project seeks to: – Train young people in leadership, social entrepreneurship, digital competences and communication. – Establish stable youth participation spaces in at least five municipalities (Alcalá la Real, Úbeda, Martos, Alcaudete and Linares). – Facilitate access for rural youth to European opportunities such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. – Promote values of inclusion, sustainability, cultural diversity and active citizenship. – Make rural youth visible as a driver of social innovation and community cohesion, helping to retain talent in the province.

Objectives

With this project we aim to empower rural youth in the province of Jaén to become active protagonists in the
social, cultural and environmental processes of their municipalities. Our main objective is to strengthen youth
participation in rural contexts where depopulation, unemployment and the lack of dialogue spaces limit young
people’s opportunities.
Specifically, the project seeks to:
– Train young people in leadership, social entrepreneurship, digital competences and communication.
– Establish stable youth participation spaces in at least five municipalities (Alcalá la Real, Úbeda, Martos,
Alcaudete and Linares).
– Facilitate access for rural youth to European opportunities such as Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity
Corps.
– Promote values of inclusion, sustainability, cultural diversity and active citizenship.
– Make rural youth visible as a driver of social innovation and community cohesion, helping to retain talent in the
province.

Activities

The project will implement a set of activities to empower rural youth in Jaén and strengthen their active
participation. It will organise 5 youth laboratories in rural towns (Alcalá la Real, Úbeda, Martos, Alcaudete and
Linares), each engaging around 20 young people in leadership, digital skills, social entrepreneurship and active
citizenship. A three-day intensive training in Alcalá la Real and a two-day practical workshop will follow,
supporting participants in developing campaigns, projects and funding applications. In between, a period of
personalised mentoring will guide youth in launching their initiatives. A digital campaign “I am Jaén, I am Future”
will run throughout the project, and a provincial youth festival will gather 40 young people and local
decision-makers. In total, 150 young people aged 16–30 will participate, with priority for those facing fewer
opportunities due to economic, educational or geographical obstacles.

Impact

The project will result in 100 rural youth trained in leadership, participation and digital competences, and the
creation of 5 pilot youth councils in Jaén municipalities (Alcalá la Real, Úbeda, Martos, Alcaudete and Linares). It
will produce digital content (videos, podcasts, posts) with an estimated reach of 10,000 views, amplifying youth
voices. The methodological handbook “Participating from the Rural” will be published and shared through the
SALTO Toolbox and Erasmus+ Project Results Platform to ensure long-term use. A provincial youth festival will
bring together 40 young people and decision-makers, reinforcing visibility and local policy influence. The impact
will be seen at three levels: local, by strengthening cohesion and attachment; regional, as a replicable model in
Andalusia; and European, by contributing to the Youth Goals (connecting with the EU, rural youth, quality
employment, and participation for all).

Project partners

• 🇪🇸 ASOC SOCIO CULTURAL VERDESUR ALCALA
  Spain