PROJECT OVERVIEW

The SOS (Should I stay or should I go?) project is designed to empower youth in rural and remote areas across Europe, particularly focusing on regions facing depopulation, aging populations, and migration challenges. The initiative seeks to provide young people with the skills and opportunities to become active agents of change in their communities. Through participatory action-research (PAR) and the Reciprocal Maieutic Approach (RMA), the project enables youth to engage in community-driven solutions that address migration and improve the living conditions in rural areas. Ultimately, SOS aims to reduce the migration-driven exodus of youth by creating attractive, sustainable environments through community empowerment, policy advocacy, and the creation of impactful local narratives.

OBJECTIVES

• Empower youth in rural and remote regions, providing them with the tools and skills to lead social change.
• Develop youth-driven solutions to combat rural depopulation, migration, and isolation.
• Create a European Youth Council for rural and marginalized areas to foster youth engagement and policy advocacy at the local, national, and EU levels.
• Promote democratic participation and social inclusion by facilitating dialogue and community-driven policy proposals.
• Develop practical tools and proposals for improving the attractiveness and sustainability of rural areas for youth.

HOW DO WE ACHIEVE IT

• Participatory Action-Research Training: Training youth in PAR and RMA to develop a comprehensive understanding of migration and rural challenges, empowering them to take a lead in co-creating solutions.
• Workshops and Listening Sessions: Youth will lead community workshops where they will gather and analyze migration stories, focusing on the push and pull factors that influence migration decisions.
• Geo-localized Podcast Development: Participants will create a podcast that highlights the experiences of rural youth and their communities, showcasing local resources, challenges, and opportunities.
• Policy and Action Proposals Paper: The project will produce a co-created policy paper with concrete recommendations for rural development, focusing on youth retention, local infrastructure, and opportunities.
• International Exchanges and Networking: The project will provide opportunities for rural youth to connect with peers across Europe, fostering a sense of belonging and strengthening the European youth network.
• Advocacy and Public Engagement: Engaging in policy advocacy at local, national, and EU levels, ensuring youth perspectives are heard and incorporated into decision-making processes.

PROJECT PARTNERS

• RIGHT CHALLENGE – Portugal
• CSC DANILO DOLCI ETS – Italy
• RE-ACT – Bulgaria
• Fundación Santa María la Real (FSMLR) – Spain
• Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (IED) – Greece
• AY Institute – Lithuania