Second Regional Rural Youth Forum for Europe and Central Asia

Young women and men can play a catalytic role in supporting economic growth and development in rural areas. However, there are still gaps in understanding the specific economic, social, and cultural issues that affect their aspirations, livelihoods, well-being, and integration into local economies. Given this, effective policies and interventions are needed to support rural youth’s livelihoods, empowerment, employment opportunities matching their aspirations, and to ensure generational renewal of family farming and sustainability of rural communities.

Therefore, it has been a priority for FAO to establish a platform for youth and about youth in Europe and Central Asia. After a series of online consultations, the first Regional Rural Youth Forum was organized in November 2023 in Budapest, Hungary.

Building on the outcomes of the first Forum and FAO’s priorities in Europe and Central Asia, the second Regional Rural Youth Forum, which also commemorates FAO’s 80th anniversary, will take place on 11–13 June 2025 in Budapest.

Specifically, the event is aiming at:

• Discussing with and obtaining information from representatives of the rural youth on their situation, challenges, and pathways.
• Providing a platform for exchange among youth actors, policy makers, and representatives of international partners.
• Raising awareness on the importance of generational sustainability of family farming.
• Discussing policies to empower youth to ensure equitable livelihoods and sustainable development in rural areas, and
• Establishing or further enhancing partnerships among governments, civil society, academia, private sector, and international organizations with interest in rural youth and young farmers.

Key topics of discussions will among others include the needs of rural youth; access to land, investment, and knowledge; policy frameworks for the empowerment of rural youth; youth inclusion in agriculture and policy processes; and green agriculture.