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The Young Rural Developers Toolkit has been developed by the ACORN team to empower and inspire young people committed to their rural areas. It seeks to cultivate leadership, civic engagement, and community development among rural youth, so that now, or in the future, they can play a leading role in the progression of that area. The Toolkit offers bite-sized learning modules, worksheets, activities, and games to enhance leadership, civic participation, and rural development knowledge. The Toolkit surrounds four key areas of rural youth development:

Active Citizenship for Youth.
Understanding Rural Development Decision Making.
Community Development Skills.
Rural Leadership for Young Individuals.

Our ACORN Toolkit resources are designed to be used individually in the learner’s own time, but also by educators in educational settings.

Modules’ Structure

Section 1: Active Citizenship: Find Your Voice

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1.0 Your Role in Europe's Fabric: Understanding the importance of youth in the European community framework.

Bite sized Modules:

1.1 The ABCs of Active Youth Citizenship in Europe.

1.2 Role of Youth Advocate in Rural Development.

1.3 Vignettes of Young Europeans Making a Change.

1.4 Worksheet: Active Citizenship: Where Do I Stand?

Section 2: Navigate European Rural Development

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2.1 The European Rural Landscape: From Local to EU, a Guide to decision-making bodies affecting rural communities

2.2 Community Whisperers: Blog series of diverse perspectives from and about youth focused rural development

2.3 Policy Puzzle: Piece together a rural development initiative from idea to execution

Section 3: Building Vibrant Rural Communities

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3.1 Health and Wellbeing:

Promoting physical and mental well-being among rural youth.
Healthy lifestyle choices and stress management.
Overcoming barriers to healthcare access in rural areas.

3.2 Cultural and Community Identity:

Celebrating and preserving local traditions and culture.
Fostering a sense of pride in rural identity.

3.3 Digital Futures:

Harnessing technology for effective community organising.

3.4 Networking and Social Connections:

3.5 Photo Voices: A youth photography challenge capturing the essence of community spirit.

3.6 Rural Vision Café: How a young person can set up and facilitate group discussions to brainstorm community ideas from a youth perspective.

3.7 The power of intergenerational relationships: An activity to bring together individuals from different generational groups within our rural setting to create meaningful connections, mutual understanding, and empathy.

3.8 Connecting with mentors and role models: Explore the concept of role models, identify the individuals who inspire us, and examine the qualities that make them influential.

Section 4: Rural Leadership: Stepping Up

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In this section, we explore the key role that leadership plays in transforming rural communities across Europe. Through a series of profiles, discussions, and interactive materials, we gain insights, commit to Step Up and can join the conversation...

4.1 The European Young Leader: What sets the rural youth leaders of Europe apart? Let’s talk to Monia Wisniewska

4.2 Leaders of Tomorrow: European youth making waves in rural leadership. Let’s hear from Antoine Gambin

4.3 Mapping My Leadership Journey. This downloadable PDF provides a structured template for young leaders to reflect on their own leadership paths and envision future goals.

4.4 Activity: Commit- We encourage young rural leaders to outline their commitments to their communities, helping to solidify their intentions and strategies for local development. Commit to your next steps by downloading the activity here.

4.5 Rural Youth Leadership Discussion - A discussion activity focused on the challenges and opportunities for young leaders in rural areas, aimed at developing strategies to foster resilient and thriving rural communities.

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