In Aragon, more than 30% of young people living in rural areas experience a sense of isolation and lack of opportunities for development. The limited availability of youth associations and the lack of spaces where young people can share and address their concerns contribute to this sense of isolation, pushing many to seek opportunities outside their territories.
InnovaRural Joven is a project designed for the Aragonese Youth Institute. It seeks to empower young people between the ages of 14 and 30 in rural municipalities in Aragon by promoting the creation of youth associations and fostering active collaboration. The aim is to provide young people with the tools they need to talk about their problems, support each other, and create support networks that enable them to overcome the daily challenges of rural life together.
Through a hybrid training program that combines interactive online classes, expert mentoring, and in-person workshops, young people will learn about rural entrepreneurship, effective communication, teamwork, and digital transformation. In addition, they will develop skills to strengthen youth associations, ensuring that they can come together to create joint projects that benefit their community.
One of the key objectives of the project is to combat rural depopulation by equipping young people with the tools, confidence, and networks they need to stay in their territories. In this way, InnovaRural Joven not only encourages youth participation, but also creates a space to talk openly about common problems, helping young people feel heard and supported.
More than 90 young people will benefit from this training, which will be supported by specialized mentors and local organizations, providing a collaborative and learning environment to create a more resilient future full of opportunities in rural areas.
InnovaRural Joven reflects the IKIGAI Institute’s commitment to the social transformation of rural areas, strengthening youth participation and creating support networks that promote joint development.
