Empowering Youth Participation in Rural Communities
EMPOWER+ is an international cooperation project funded by the Erasmus+ programme that aims to strengthen youth participation, leadership, and democratic engagement in rural communities, with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa.
The project brings together organisations from Europe and Africa to support young people, youth workers, and civil society organisations in promoting active citizenship and inclusive decision-making. By combining training, international cooperation, and local community initiatives, EMPOWER+ helps young people develop the skills and confidence needed to become active leaders in their communities.
A central element of the project is the development and promotion of the Rural Youth Parliament model, an innovative participatory approach that allows young people to discuss community challenges, propose solutions, and engage directly with local decision-makers.
Why Youth Participation Matters
Young people living in rural areas often face barriers such as limited opportunities for education, employment, and civic engagement. In many communities, their voices are not sufficiently represented in local governance and policy-making processes.
EMPOWER+ addresses these challenges by creating opportunities for youth dialogue, leadership development, and policy participation. Through international cooperation between European and African partners, the project promotes the exchange of good practices and innovative approaches in youth work and community development.
By empowering young people and strengthening youth organisations, the project contributes to more inclusive, participatory, and sustainable rural communities.
EMPOWER+ aims to achieve three key objectives:
Strengthening youth participation
Encouraging young people to actively engage in democratic processes and contribute to local development.
Supporting youth organisations and youth workers
Providing tools, training, and resources to strengthen the capacity of NGOs and youth professionals working with rural youth.
Promoting EU–Africa cooperation in youth development
Creating long-term partnerships between organisations in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa to exchange knowledge and develop innovative youth participation models.
- Creating Rural Youth Parliaments as sustainable participation structures
- Transferring European best practices on youth engagement and policy dialogue
- Building capacities of African youth organizations through training and mentoring
- Promoting inclusion, digital literacy, and green awareness among rural youth
- Supporting youth-led initiatives via non-formal learning and peer activities
- Strengthening EU–Africa cooperation through joint activities and exchanges
- Using communication, dissemination, and media literacy actions to amplify impact
EMPOWER+ is designed to support a wide network of actors involved in youth development:
Young people, especially those living in rural areas
Youth workers and youth organisations
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
Local authorities and policymakers
Civil society organisations
Long-Term Impact
The long-term goal of EMPOWER+ is to strengthen youth participation structures and promote sustainable cooperation between Europe and Africa.
Through the development of Rural Youth Parliaments and the creation of networks between youth organisations, the project contributes to building more democratic, inclusive, and resilient rural communities.
