Rural isolation and geographical barriers often limit young people’s opportunities to engage in community life or access quality youth work. The Covid-19 pandemic, with its restrictions and distancing measures, highlighted these limits while also offering a chance to reflect on new strategies to reach young people in physically or socially distant contexts.
To respond to these challenges, the project YOPEDRIA brought together youth workers, educators, volunteers and young people from various European countries for a process of observation, training and exchange. The goal was to share tools and approaches for youth engagement in rural and remote areas, while offering direct inspiration from local success stories.
The study visit in the province of Liège was the first international step of the project and served as the “Observe” phase of the ORA methodology. Through meetings with organisations, field visits and the direct observation of good practices, participants explored how youth inclusion can be promoted in low-density areas, learning how community-driven initiatives can turn geographical disadvantage into social opportunity.
All field visits were followed and documented by participants, working in small editorial teams. Their materials were collected into this dossier, forming the basis of a shared methodological platform to inspire future actions across Europe’s rural communities.
