Rural Youth Europe

Rural Youth Europe (RYEurope) is a European Non-Governmental Organisation for rural youth. Founded in 1957, it is an umbrella for European youth organisations working in rural areas. It was established as “European Committee for Young Farmers and 4H Clubs” in Rendsburg, Germany in 1957; the name “Rural Youth Europe” was adopted in 2003.

Aims

Rural Youth Europe aims to educate and train young and create an awareness of rural and social issues. It also encourages rural populations and industry and supports the development of new rural youth organizations.

In addition, Rural Youth Europe wants to take a role in the development of environmental and agricultural issues and policies and network with other European NGOs. It lobbies and highlights the problems and needs of rural youth to focus the attention of international and national bodies, as well as the general public.

Government

The Board consists of representatives of the regions, (United Kingdom and Ireland, Central Europe, Scandinavia and Eastern Europe), a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson. The members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of 2 years. The office is located in Helsinki, Finland.

Leadership

The Chairs of the organisation have been

The Secretary Generals have been:

Membership

The group has 23 member organisations in 21 countries and over 500,000 youth participants who are members of Rural Youth Associations, Young Farmers’ Clubs and 4H. It is divided into 4 regional groups:

Regional Group I

• National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs (NFYFC), England

• Macra na Feirme, Ireland

• Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster (YFCU), Northern Ireland

• Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs (SAYFC), Scotland

• Wales YFC / CFFI Cymru, Wales

Regional Group II

• Landjugend Österreich (ÖLJ), Austria

• Bund der Deutschen Landjugend (BDL), Germany

• Argricultural and Rural Youth Association (AGRYA), Hungary

• Kosovo Young Farmers Clubs, Kosovo

• Young Farmers' Clubs of Serbia, Serbia

• Slovenian Rural Youth (ZSPM) Slovenia

• Schweizerische Landjugendvereinigung (SLJV), Switzerland

Regional Group III

• Danmarks Landboungdom + Danish 4H, Denmark

• Suomen 4H-liitto, Finland

• Finlands Svenska 4H, Finland

• Norske 4H, Norway

• Sveriges 4H, Sweden

Regional Group IV

• Agrarian Youth Union of Bulgaria, Bulgaria

• Eesti 4H, Estonia

• Latvian 4H, Latvia

• Latvian Young Farmers' Club, (JZK), Latvia

• Polish Rural Youth Union, Poland

• Organization for Development of Rural Areas in Poland (WSnRROW), Poland

International Observers

• Armenian Rural Youth, Armenia

Sponsorsing Members

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, (FAO)

Activities

Rural Youth Europe arranges yearly seminars, educational courses and a rally to discuss and share knowledge on topics such as rural development, youth participation, intercultural dialogue, leadership and human rights.

European Rallies

External links

• http://ruralyoutheurope.com/