Rural Youth Alternative Futures: new narratives and possibilities

Jointly organised by the European Rural Youth Observatory (EURYO) and Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, this five-day Summer School explores rural youth alternative futures, focusing on new narratives and pathways for inclusive and sustainable rural development.

The programme combines conceptual frameworks, empirical evidence, and applied perspectives to address the structural and emerging challenges shaping rural youth lives across Europe.

Through keynote lectures, thematic sessions, and interactive discussions, participants will engage with core domains such as rural youth mobilities, education and skills pathways, decent and meaningful work, youth entrepreneurship, and community resilience, all situated within broader debates on territorial cohesion, social inclusion, and sustainable development.

The Summer School includes a field visit to Terinov Science and Technology Park, offering direct contact with local entrepreneurs and place-based innovation initiatives in a rural island and outermost context.

A total of 40 hours of interactive training, combining lectures, thematic sessions, and participatory workshops in Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island (The Azores, Portugal) from 7 to 11 September 2026.

The Course is characterised by stimulating teaching methods, including case discussions, guest speakers participatory methods, and field trips, such as to the Terinov Science and Technology Park, for direct contact with local entrepreneurs and place-based innovation initiatives in a rural island

All readings and lecturers’ materials will be available on EURYO online forum.

View the full programme

Venue:  Angra do Heroísmo Interpretive Center, Angra do Heroísmo, Terceira Island
Travel to Terceira Island is made through Lajes Airport (Aeroporto das Lajes – TER), located about 20 minutes by car from Angra do Heroísmo. There are multiple daily direct flights from Lisbon and Porto, with an average duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Terceira Island has regular international flights from several European and North American cities. Transportation from Lajes Airport to Angra do Heroísmo is simple and widely available through taxis, private transfers, or rental cars, all easily accessible upon arrival.

How to get around in the city?
In Angra do Heroísmo most places are within walking distance, especially around the historical centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where most venues, restaurants, and points of interest are located.

Accommodation:
Beira Mar Hotel, in the centre of Angra do Heroísmo, a 7-minute walk from the Summer School venue. 
The participation fees include accommodation for five nights at this hotel, with breakfast. 
Pre-reservation is provided only for the registered Summer School participants.

Elena MARTA
Scientific director, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Francisco SIMÕES
University Institute of Lisbon, Chair of the European Rural Youth Observatory 

Adriano Mauro ELLENA, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Tatiana FERREIRA, Santarém Polytechnic University
Paul FLYNN, University of Galway
Alen MUJČINOVIĆ  University of Sarajevo
Claudia PETRESCU, Institutul de Cercetare a Calităţii Vieţii
João ALMEIDA, Rural Movers, Portugal
Antonella ROCCA, Parthenope University of Naples, Italy
Lana PASIC, Representative of the European Union - Council of Europe Youth Partnership
Babbis CHARALAMPOS, EACEA - European Commission (online)