During the past weeks, a series of consultation meetings took place in the municipalities of Muro de Alcoy and Gaianes (Alicante, Spain), bringing together young people, youth workers and local stakeholders to reflect on the realities, needs and aspirations of rural youth. These sessions were organised as part of the ongoing efforts of the project to ensure that young people’s voices are not only heard but meaningfully integrated into the development of future activities and recommendations.

The meetings created an open and participatory space where young people could freely share their experiences of living in rural areas. Participants discussed both the opportunities and the challenges that shape their daily lives, including access to education, cultural activities, mobility, digital opportunities and spaces for participation in community decision-making. Through facilitated discussions, interactive activities and group reflections, the consultations aimed to capture authentic perspectives from rural youth and translate them into actionable insights for the project.

In Muro de Alcoy, the consultation brought together a diverse group of young participants representing different backgrounds and interests. The discussion focused on how young people perceive their role in local communities and what support they need to become more active in shaping local initiatives. Participants highlighted the importance of having safe and accessible youth spaces, more opportunities for cultural and creative expression, and stronger connections with European programmes that allow them to travel, learn and exchange experiences with peers from other countries.

The session in Gaianes provided another valuable opportunity to deepen this dialogue. Young participants reflected on how rural contexts influence their opportunities and how local organisations, schools and municipalities can better support youth engagement. Topics such as environmental awareness, digital skills, community participation and youth leadership emerged as key priorities. Many participants emphasised that rural youth often have strong community ties and a willingness to contribute, but they sometimes lack platforms where their ideas can be taken seriously and transformed into real initiatives.

Across both meetings, one message became particularly clear: young people want to be active contributors to their communities, not just passive beneficiaries of activities designed for them. They expressed a strong interest in initiatives that combine creativity, digital tools, cultural exchange and opportunities for civic engagement.

The insights gathered during these consultation meetings will play a crucial role in shaping the next steps of the project. The feedback collected will help partners design activities that better reflect the realities of rural youth and respond to their aspirations for participation, creativity and social impact. At the same time, the consultations strengthen the connection between local communities and the wider European network involved in the project.

These meetings in Muro de Alcoy and Gaianes demonstrate the value of starting from local voices when building European initiatives. By listening carefully to young people and creating spaces where they feel comfortable sharing their perspectives, the project takes an important step towards ensuring that rural youth are not only represented, but actively involved in shaping the future of their communities and beyond.