Erasmus+ youth exchange “Let’s Get Rural” took place in Msida, Malta on 19th – 27th of October, 2021. The mobility gathered 36 participants coming from Portugal, Lithuania, Malta, Italy and Turkey. The main goal of the project was to inspire, motivate and support youth with fewer opportunities to start businesses in rural areas so that they can be self-sufficient and self-reliant.
INSPIRATION OF THE PROJECT
Many of the European Union’s rural areas face a common challenge, as their capacity to create high-quality, sustainable jobs has fallen behind that of urban areas. Generally, incomes are lower in rural regions than in towns or cities and there are fewer job opportunities.
Marginalized youth living in rural areas have a problem getting continued education and good jobs to get ahead in life and contribute to society. They are facing unemployment & they do not know how to get out of the existing situation.
One of the obvious solutions for them is to move to the city and try to get a job there. However, even if they do manage to get one, it is usually low-paying, meaning that they would still be struggling in life, not advancing in terms of personal development and not contributing much to society.
These marginalized youth possess one asset which isn’t being explored to its fullest potential – their familiarity with the rural area that they live in. If they were shown how to capitalize on this asset by starting a business in rural areas, they could create something of a higher value. There’s high demand for certain things in rural areas that local youth could take time to explore and fulfill.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
PROJECT’S ACTIVITIES
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN
DISSEMINATION
VISITING FARMER’S MARKET AND CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS
PROJECT’S IMPACT
The participants of the YE “Let’s Get Rural” acquired & improved a number of skills & competencies required for starting-up business in rural areas. They learned how to plan a business using proven methodologies & tools. They also learned how to come up with good ideas for businesses in rural areas, and what’s the best way to turn those ideas into a self-sustaining business.
Moreover, they also got the needed knowledge on how to write a business plan & improve their understanding of the key business parts, including vision & mission, company values, long-term strategy, marketing, sales, budget & financing. Finally, the participants got a chance to extend their social networks & polish their ideas by talking to entrepreneurs that have businesses in rural areas.
PROJECT’S ACTIVITIES AND MATERIAL
