Rural Voices

What does the rise of AI mean for rural young people across Europe? In this episode of Rural Voices, we're in Switzerland for the Rural Youth Europe European Rally 2026, where participants from 20 rural youth organisations across 17 countries came together to explore leadership in the age of artificial intelligence. Our Chairperson Martin sits down with Rally Chairperson Franzi to discuss why AI was chosen as this year's theme, the importance of using it responsibly and what it means to...

In this episode of Rural Voices, we return to the Powering Change – Empowering Rural Youth for Energy Communities project to explore what renewable energy looks like in practice across rural Europe. We hear from Sophie Bell in Ireland, a young farmer introducing renewable energy solutions on her farm, and Marina Sainz de la Maza Ortiz in Spain, who shares the realities of trying to establish a community-led energy project in her local area. Together, they discuss the opportunities, challenges...

In this episode we’re taking you back to the first ever European Rural Youth Forward Conference. Earlier this year, around 100 rural youth leaders and European policy-makers gathered in Piloña, Spain, for an event dedicated to strengthening rural youth policy-making across Europe. Hear from Ketrin, Spyros, Rosie, Martin and Jana from the RYE team, as they catch up with some of the conference delegates about their work ensuring rural voices are heard at a national and European level. They spea...

What happens when rural youth take control of their own stories? Recorded during our 2026 Study Session on media literacy, this episode brings together voices from across Europe to challenge stereotypes, unpack misconceptions, and share real experiences of rural life. What are the hidden strengths of rural communities? And what are the misconceptions of living in rural areas? Co-produced by the participants of the Study Session, you will hear 19 different voices from across Europe shari...

In this episode, part of our Powering Change: Empowering Rural Youth for Energy Communities project, we’re in Brussels with the Rural Youth Europe (RYE) Policy Committee talking all about the power of building an energy community. What are energy communities? And what are EU institution doing to support their development? Dan chats to RYE Policy Manager Adriana Borsellino, as well as energy community experts Maria Bellou from Electra Energy Cooperative and Óscar Güell from REScoop.eu. We also...