The rural heritage is a link between the past and the
present, reminding us of the creativity, exchange of goods, people and ideas,
but also of the conflicts and social changes that have shaped our European
history. Cultural heritage is what we have inherited: our legacy, our
memories, physical places, objects and intangible beliefs and practices, and
so much more. Today, many rural areas of Europe are faced with depopulation
problems and diminishing job opportunities. For keeping alive the rural
heritage, during these modern times, we need to promote active European
citizenship, as well as a source of employment for young people with little or
no academic qualifications.
How many of us think nowadays about traditional ways of living, eating, or
crafting? Together with national and regional authorities, the European Union
is working hard to find and create new job opportunities in rural areas where,
for example, food production was once a major source of income, to boost youth
participation in their communities and to help in keeping alive the rural
heritage specific to each country.
Rural Heritage Week is a one week event, taking place between 19-25th of
October, also celebrating a dedicated Rural Heritage Day on the 22nd of
October 2022, both events happening in the frame of the Erasmus+ KA2 project
Promote rural heritage by youth workers (PRHBYW). Both events celebrate
history and reminiscence of the past, when rural activities such as farming,
cooking, spinning, lace making, leather working, soap making, wood carving,
gardening or old-fashioned games were a constant in people’s lives trying to
link them with the present. The combination of tradition and modernity is
essential in the process of rural development without leaving no one behind.
During the Rural Heritage Week and Rural Heritage Day youth workers, young
people, rural entrepreneurs will use digital tools to raise awareness about
rural heritage, especially among young people and parties actively involved in
the project's thematic.
Promote rural heritage by youth workers (PRHBYW) addresses two of the six
rural development priorities supported by ENRD (European Network for Rural
Development, programming period 2014-2020): Knowledge Transfer and Innovation,
and Social Inclusion and Economic Development. Nowadays, an increasing number
of young people living in rural areas of Europe find themselves socially and
civically marginalized, being also largely unaware of the international
mobility opportunities offered by programs such as the European Solidarity
Corps and Erasmus+ where resources are offered for their professional and
personal development. The KA2 Erasmus+ project is an initiative of a
consortium of four countries and five organizations:
SER JOVEN,
GEYC,
JOINT, CANTABRURI and
DIRAMARSI.
Follow us on our website,
facebook page and
instagram page to keep posted
with the activities developed in the frame of the event.
#PROruralheritage