Introduction

Understanding young people’s priorities when it comes to living and working in Nordic rural regions is the key to ensuring that Nordic rural communities are able to thrive. It is vitally important to gain insights into tools and strategies that young people see as addressing barriers to staying or settling in rural areas. As such, it is imperative that we engage with young people who either currently reside in rural areas or aspire to do so – particularly those who harbour uncertainties about their prospects of staying in these areas long-term.

What are young peoples’ needs, aspirations and ideas, and what solutions are they proposing to policy-makers that would draw them back to rural areas? Moreover, how can we create and enhance opportunities for rural youth to realise their potential and make the most of – and make the greatest contribution to – their communities, thereby changing prevailing narratives regarding young people in rural areas? And how can we make sustainability in rural areas integral to the achievement of the Nordic Vision 2030?

This policy brief takes a look at the academic discourse and existing rural development narratives in the Nordic countries, as well as efforts in youth engagement, including related measures, across six thematic areas. The brief also presents the Nordic Rural Youth Panel’s 40 action points for revitalising rural areas.

Project aim and mission

Through co-creative workshops with 25 young panellists from across all Nordic countries and self-governing territories, we sought to identify key enablers and solutions that can motivate young people to settle in rural regions. This resulted in 40 policy recommendations for rural municipalities and regions struggling with outmigration of young people. The project was guided by the following overarching questions:

What is important for Nordic young people when it comes to living and working in rural areas?
What concrete enablers and solutions do young people identify as central to solving challenges or barriers to settling in rural areas?

The themes and the young peoples’ recommendations for rural regions and municipalities struggling with youth outmigration are presented in brief below.