As the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union draws to a close, in a climate marked by geopolitical tensions and a Europe that affirms its desire to strengthen its security, another dynamic, softer but just as strategic, is emerging: that of rural youth committed to peace.
From May 21 to 22, 2025, Strasbourg, a living symbol of European unity, will host the project PEACE in the premises of the European Parliament. This meeting will bring together young people from Rural Family Homes (LIM) and decision-makers from all over France. At the heart of the discussions: peace with oneself, with others and with the worldA strong plea in a context where Europe is questioning its defense capabilities, but where young people are calling above all to rebuild ties, to recreate meaning, to lay the foundations for lasting peace.
It is in this breath, both lucid and full of hope, that we find CONNECT-RAn Erasmus+ project that intends to extend this dynamic by giving a voice to those who are heard too little: the young people from rural areas, often far from decision-making centers but at the heart of tomorrow's European challenges.
From Strasbourg to Lublin: young people calling for a more humane, fairer, closer Europe
À Strasbourg, young people from the MFRs will come to defend a plea based on a triple requirement:
- Peace with yourself, by fighting against psychological violence, unhappiness and social divisions which undermine self-esteem and projection into the future.
- Peace with others, by promoting listening, intercultural dialogue and conflict prevention at all levels.
- Peace with the world, by committing to a united, sustainable and responsible Europe in the face of global challenges.
A strong message, which resonates powerfully with what was expressed during the European Youth Conference (EYC) à Lublin, organized under the Polish presidency. From March 2 to 5, 2025, more than 300 young people from all over Europe debated the major challenges of our time, putting clear words on democratic fractures, technological fears, territorial inequalities, but also on their desires for Europe. Among the main points of the plea that emerged there:
- The need to preserve the voice of young people in political decisions, particularly in digital, ecological and social transitions.
- The key role of education for European citizenship, as a lever for understanding, commitment and resilience.
- The importance of a fair access to European opportunities, especially for young people living in rural or peripheral areas.
CONNECT-R: a project that follows up and gives substance to this dynamic
The CONNECT-R project, currently in preparation for a launch in June 2025, is a direct continuation of this. Led by a European consortium and inspired by the 11th campaign of the EU Dialogue with Young People (led in France by Provox), it aims to be a structuring tool for dialogue between rural youth and European institutions. Through local consultations, transnational meetings, co-construction spaces and the production of political recommendations, CONNECT-R intends to:
- Strengthening the readability of the EU in rural areas.
- Supporting vibrant and accessible civic education.
- Building bridges between young people and decision-makers to promote truly inclusive governance.
At a time when the European Union is redefining itself, in the face of geopolitical, ecological and social emergencies, CONNECT-R reminds us of the essential: peace and democracy are not decreed from above. They are built with citizens, from a young age, in all territories. By giving voice to rural youth, CONNECT-R is not just another project. It is a response to an urgent need for recognition, participation, and connection. It is an invitation to build a close, humane, and credible Europe, where it was no longer expected.
