Are you between 16 and 30 years old, live in an EU country, and lead a project that promotes democratic values, European identity, or youth participation? If so, this prize could be for you. Each year, the European Parliament and the Charlemagne Prize of Aachen Foundation organise the European Charlemagne Youth Prize to recognise youth-led projects that strengthen democracy, active participation, and European integration. Participation involves two stages: first, a national call in which each Member State selects one project, followed by a European jury that chooses the three continental winners. In addition to recognition, the cash prizes are €7,500, €5,000, and €2,500 for the top three, and winners attend official ceremonies and have the opportunity to visit the European Parliament. If you have a project with a European impact, start preparing it now. Check the details of the next call: criteria, deadlines, and requirements, review previous winners, and register before 30 January. Your initiative could become part of European history!
Villages and rural communities are not untouched by the digital revolution taking place worldwide. Innovative solutions, from Big Data to the Internet of Things (IoT), have reached rural areas to develop and improve their social, economic, and environmental conditions. A smart village is a rural community that leverages technology and innovation to revitalise its economy, enhance the quality of life for its residents, and increase resilience by responding to local needs and building on local strengths. It focuses on combating depopulation and ageing, creating more sustainable and participatory development, and applying digital solutions innovatively in areas such as agriculture, energy, and public services. The concept of smart villages aims to equip small rural populations with the means to become engines of change and productive centres. Some Spanish regions, such as Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, and Extremadura, have embraced this model, expanding it from municipalities to intelligent and sustainable rural ecosystems and districts. Across Europe, notable examples include Valle d’Aosta in Italy, with energy communities and fossil fuel independence plans, and the Kaišiadorys district in Lithuania, which has developed mobile hubs for radio and podcast production, citizen consultations, local e-commerce, and connected spaces to improve rural services. If you want to get involved in transforming rural areas, we invite you to explore the collaborative projects space at VILLAHUB. This environment is designed to foster the joint creation of initiatives that contribute to the sustainable, social, and digital development of villages. Here, young people, educators, entrepreneurs, and local organisations can co-create, manage, and share projects with tangible impact in their communities, experiment with new methodologies and innovative solutions, and participate in a European network of collaborative learning. Join, connect with other users, and be part of building a more dynamic and connected rural future.
On 22 March, Villalar de los Comuneros will become a space for youth engagement and action for everyone interested in caring for our environment. The Villalar Checkpoint project, together with GREFA, the Ayuntamiento de Villalar, Ágora Villalar, and AEICE Clúster de Hábitat Eficiente, is organising a special day of reforestation, pollinator care, and a nesting box construction workshop. All participants in the volunteer day will enjoy hands-on activities, awareness-raising exercises, and discussion spaces, while contributing to a positive impact in their community. In addition, the event provides free meals and transport to facilitate participation. If you want to be part of this experience and share your ideas, reserve your spot by emailing fblanca@grefa.org. The Villalar Checkpoint initiative aims to highlight La Campa, promoting active youth participation and creating a space where their voices and ideas take centre stage. It will be an opportunity to learn, collaborate, and contribute to the transformation of the rural environment, fostering sustainable practices and respect for biodiversity. We encourage you to complete this short survey to share how you would like the initiative to develop and help us advance the Villalar Checkpoint project.
Next Saturday, 18 October, Villalar de los Comuneros will host a new edition of the Fiesta de la Sementera, a very special day that combines tradition, sustainability, and intergenerational community life. Organised by the Ayuntamiento de Villalar de los Comuneros, together with the Villalar Checkpoint project and GREFA (Grupo de Rehabilitación de la Fauna Autóctona y su Hábitat), the event promises to be a meeting point where young people, families, and local associations come together around nature and Castilian roots. This year’s programme includes environmental volunteer activities, participatory workshops, traditional games, local cuisine, and live music that will bring the village to life from early morning until night. The day will start with a hot chocolate gathering in the municipal park to fuel up before heading to the fields. One of the most anticipated moments will follow: broadcast sowing and the planting of melliferous shrubs in the Las Pozas area, accompanied by tastings of garlic soup and chicharrón cake. At midday, a communal meal featuring arroz a la zamorana will bring attendees together around the table, while in the afternoon there will be workshops for wild bee nesting boxes, board games, and traditional dances with the Virgen de los Aguaderos group. The day will conclude with a concert by the duo Alicornio Folk, followed by a communal dinner and a DJ session to end the celebration on a high note. For just €5, you can reserve your place with all meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and free bus transport from Valladolid. Reservations can be made at the Ayuntamiento or by emailing culturavillalar@gmail.com.
In August 2025, the town of Valča in Slovakia hosted the third European Rural Youth Summit (ERYS 2025 – Together for Today), an event that brought together young people, trainers, and policymakers from rural communities across Europe. Under the banner “Together for Today,” the summit focused on the well-being of rural youth and intercultural dialogue as drivers for more inclusive societies. One of the highlights was giving young people the opportunity to share their experiences and take an active role in driving change: not only participating in workshops and debates but also directly contributing policy recommendations that reflect their realities. ERYS served as a platform where their voices were heard, their challenges—such as distance, isolation, or lack of opportunities—were made visible, and concrete solutions were explored. Emotional health, social connection, and mutual support were also emphasised as essential components of any strategy aimed at revitalising rural areas. For those working with youth—whether as trainers, in local development, or community projects—ERYS 2025 offers practical inspiration: creating safe spaces for young people to express concerns, incorporating participatory methodologies where their voices truly matter, and building local support networks with a European perspective. ERYS 2025 not only inspired Europe’s rural youth but also looked to the future: the next edition of the Summit promises to continue fostering connection, empowerment, and co-creation, inviting new rural communities to make their voices heard in the European dialogue.
