The beginning of the SPARK Project: Empowering Youth, Advancing Rural Knowledge


The SPARK project (Supportive Program for Advancing Rural Knowledge - ID: 2024-1-FR02-KA220-YOU-000251048) has been officially launched as a pioneering initiative to address the unique challenges faced by rural youth in Europe. Funded under the Erasmus+ Programme, running from September 2024 to February 2026 and spearheaded by a consortium of 4 organizations from France, Romania, Italy, and Slovakia, the SPARK project is focused on promoting youth empowerment, rural development, social innovation, and entrepreneurship.

The vision of SPARK

Rural areas across Europe are often characterized by limited access to education, employment opportunities, and social support systems. SPARK aims to bridge this gap by equipping youth workers with the skills and knowledge necessary to foster community-driven solutions. The project also focuses on tackling rural youth unemployment, social inclusion, and fostering entrepreneurship.


Key objectives

  • O1: Equip 16 youth workers with practical tools in social innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • O2: Empower youth workers to conduct needs assessments in their rural communities.
  • O3: Support youth workers in developing innovative projects aimed at addressing local challenges.
  • O4: Engage policymakers and stakeholders through dissemination events.
  • O5: Facilitate knowledge exchange among partner organizations.


Work Packages

The SPARK project is structured into five core work packages, each aimed at achieving specific outcomes:


  • Work Package 1: Project Management
  • Work Package 2: Capacity Building Training

Led by RESOPA, this package includes a 5-day intensive training program in France that will provide youth workers with hands-on experience in social innovation and rural entrepreneurship. The training will emphasize the Design Thinking methodology, equipping participants with the tools they need to innovate and bring sustainable solutions to their communities.

  • Work Package 3: Mentoring & Coaching

Led by OTI Slovakia, this package will focus on personalized mentoring and coaching for youth workers. These sessions will help participants conduct local needs assessments, design solutions, and implement their projects effectively. The goal is to provide continuous guidance to youth workers as they address real-world challenges in their rural areas.

  • Work Package 4: Project Incubator Training

Managed by GEYC (Romania), this package will focus on incubating innovative project ideas developed by youth workers. The incubation process includes a 5-day training in Romania, focusing on further refining and implementing projects. This work package also involves the creation of a comprehensive Guidebook on Design Thinking, providing tools and techniques for rural community development.

  • Work Package 5: Dissemination Events

Led by Kamite APS (Italy), this work package will ensure the project's results reach a broad audience. SPARK plans to organize four major dissemination events across partner countries, engaging local stakeholders, policymakers, and the wider public. The events will showcase project outcomes, best practices, and foster awareness about the importance of youth-led rural development.


Expected results and long-term impact

By the end of the project, SPARK aims to achieve several key outcomes:

  • 16 trained youth workers equipped with practical knowledge in social innovation and entrepreneurship.
  • At least eight project proposals addressing local needs in rural communities.
  • A Guidebook on Design Thinking that documents effective strategies for fostering social innovation and entrepreneurship in rural areas.
  • Four dissemination events that will engage stakeholders and raise awareness of youth-led initiatives.

The Importance of SPARK

The SPARK project responds to the growing challenges of youth unemployment and social exclusion in rural Europe. By fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, the project aims to retain talent in rural areas and create sustainable local economies. With the active involvement of youth workers and NGOs, the initiative is expected to make a long-term impact on the social and economic landscape of rural regions.

As SPARK moves forward, its partners are confident that the project will ignite a passion for change and provide young people with the tools they need to become leaders and innovators in their communities. By promoting social inclusion, youth participation, and sustainable practices, SPARK is set to contribute significantly to rural development across Europe.

Our news

See all news

GEYC - Group of the European Youth for Change

Organisation in Special consultative status with the United Nations - Economic and Social Council since 2023.

All rights reserved • 2010-2025