Within the ErasmusDays 2025, the project CONNECT-R, carried by the GAL Napoca Porolissum, organised a themed event in Sâncraiu (Cluj department), a certified territory European Youth Village 2025This choice of location is not insignificant: the youth community of Sâncraiu is particularly active and committed to local development.
The event brought together young people from the rural area and mayors and deputy mayors municipalities within the LAG, in a spirit of open and constructive dialogue. The objective: strengthen youth participation in local democratic life and to foster sustainable cooperation between youth and decision-makers.
After a warm welcome, Alina Baba, head of the Napoca Porolissum LAG, opened the meeting by emphasizing the importance of creating spaces where the voices of rural youth are recognized and taken into account in decision-making processes. This introduction laid the groundwork for open and respectful discussions. The CONNECT-R project was then presented, highlighting its European ambition: to empower rural youth, train them for active citizenship, and enable them to participate in structured dialogue at the local and European levels.
A highlight of the day was devoted to the presentation of the Rural Youth Parliament which generated considerable interest. This intervention demonstrated how such a system can become a genuine tool for youth representation, expression, and participation, closely aligned with local realities.
The heart of the event took the form of a open debate between young people and local elected officialsYoung people shared their experiences, needs, and expectations for improving life in rural areas: access to opportunities, recognition of their ideas, and the creation of spaces for meeting and engagement. Decision-makers responded with attentiveness and transparency, acknowledging both the existing challenges and the need to involve young people more in shaping local policies.
These exchanges strengthened mutual trust and demonstrated that structured dialogue is a powerful tool for more inclusive and sustainable rural development. The meeting concluded with a summary of the key takeaways and a presentation of the next steps for the CONNECT-R project, including the development of Rural Youth Parliaments and the continuation of participatory actions in the territory.
