The FYI-R Workshop, hosted at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Cremona, brought together leading voices from across Europe to explore the future of youth information in rural areas.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Elena Marta and Adriano Ellena, setting the tone for two days of collaborative dialogue and strategic planning. A joint session led by Francisco Simões, Chair of EURYO and of the CIG Future Youth Information for Rural Areas, introduced the vision and ambition of the EURYO initiative, followed by a presentation of preliminary findings from the FYI-R project. Simões was joined by Vice-Chairs Tatiana Ferreira and Mariano Soler, who offered insights into the early results and their implications.
Participants then engaged in small group discussions to reflect on the main findings, fostering a participatory atmosphere that continued throughout the workshop. A round-table session gathered feedback from youth and youth representatives, facilitated by Maria Fernandes Jesus and Paul Flynn, while a plenary debriefing on FYI-R dimensions was led by Claudia Petrescu and Alen Mujcinovic.
The theme of stakeholder engagement was explored in depth through a series of sessions on alternative futures, with methods for involving broader audiences and improving reporting practices. These discussions carried into the second day, culminating in a plenary session moderated by Simões. A highlight of the program was the presentation on policy engagement, featuring a case study from Spain by Òscar Prieto-Flores and Mariano Soler.
Their example served as inspiration for translating FYI-R findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers. The workshop concluded with a forward-looking session on next steps for the FYI-R initiative, again led by Simões and Ferreira, and a final meeting of the quality assurance team to consolidate insights and prepare for future deliverables. Throughout the event, the emphasis remained on collaboration, youth empowerment, and the strategic development of rural information systems across Europe.
The event opened with welcoming remarks from Elena Marta and Adriano Ellena, setting the tone for two days of collaborative dialogue and strategic planning. A joint session led by Francisco Simões, Chair of EURYO and of the CIG Future Youth Information for Rural Areas, introduced the vision and ambition of the EURYO initiative, followed by a presentation of preliminary findings from the FYI-R project. Simões was joined by Vice-Chairs Tatiana Ferreira and Mariano Soler, who offered insights into the early results and their implications.
Participants then engaged in small group discussions to reflect on the main findings, fostering a participatory atmosphere that continued throughout the workshop. A round-table session gathered feedback from youth and youth representatives, facilitated by Maria Fernandes Jesus and Paul Flynn, while a plenary debriefing on FYI-R dimensions was led by Claudia Petrescu and Alen Mujcinovic.
The theme of stakeholder engagement was explored in depth through a series of sessions on alternative futures, with methods for involving broader audiences and improving reporting practices. These discussions carried into the second day, culminating in a plenary session moderated by Simões. A highlight of the program was the presentation on policy engagement, featuring a case study from Spain by Òscar Prieto-Flores and Mariano Soler.
Their example served as inspiration for translating FYI-R findings into actionable recommendations for policymakers. The workshop concluded with a forward-looking session on next steps for the FYI-R initiative, again led by Simões and Ferreira, and a final meeting of the quality assurance team to consolidate insights and prepare for future deliverables. Throughout the event, the emphasis remained on collaboration, youth empowerment, and the strategic development of rural information systems across Europe.
