Rural Youth Hub

The Rural Youth Hub (RYH) is a youth activism platform that supports young people, especially those in rural areas, to exercise their voice to influence agricultural and rural policy-making, to make these processes oriented toward, and closely related to the concerns, interests and priorities of young people. The initiative of RYH was encouraged and supported by the Albanian Rural Development Network to enable young people to be involved in the sustainable development of the country, and in particular in the transformation of their rural communities.

The hub involves rural young people and farmers, students and entrepreneurs, enthusiasts and local development agents who are enthusiast and motivated to play an active role and contribute to rural, development processes and decision-making. The hub enables rural youth to exercise their ‘voice’ and influence rural decision-making, to make such processes youth oriented and closely linked with the current needs and interests of rural youth.

The vision that guides the efforts of young people at RYH is “A future where rural youth actively contribute to the sustainable development and advancement of Albania’s rural communities”.

Mission: To serve rural communities in Albania by empowering young people offering them opportunities to be active citizens and to generate income and sustainable livelihoods even in the most remote and impoverished rural area, as well as providing opportunities for fostering public goods and interests.

The values of the RYH’s members are, among the most important: Integrity, Respect for the opinions of RYH members, Political Impartiality, motivation and enthusiasm to make a difference.

Milestones in the RYH’s journey

• December 2019 – The launch of RYH by 20 young people from rural areas initiated the youth rural movement in Albania.
• September 2022 – RYH’s representatives participated in 4^th European Rural Parliament.
• November 2022 – RYH signed an MoU with the Agia-Cia, focusing on strengthening mutual collaboration in the agriculture and rural development sector, in particular concerning the role and contribution of young people in the sector.
• November 2022 – The ANRD received the Green Flag award in the AgriMED section from CIA – Agricoltori Italiani, acknowledging entrepreneurs for their production capacity while commitment to environment protection. This recognition highlights the establishment of the RYH and its role in this regard.
• April 2023 – RYH became a member of the Albanian Network for Rural Development.
• May 2023 – RYH was officially registered as a membership-based non-profit organization.
• June 2023 – RYH representatives actively participated in the 3^rd Balkan Rural Parliament.
• August 2023 – RYH’s representatives participated in the Regional Rural Youth Camp.
• August 2023 – RYH became a member of Rural Youth Europe.
• October 2023 – RYH co-organized the First National Assembly of Young People from Rural Area

Rural Youth Hub is a long-term group that expresses the voice of young people in rural Albania and promotes self-activation and action by rural youth, in partnership with civil society and local government. The active contribution of rural youth through RYH will enable the integration of youth perspective on rural reality (challenges, needs and aspirations) in rural and agricultural development programs, strategies and policies. Rural Youth Hub is committed to actively participate and contribute to the processes of sustainable rural development. RYH aims to align these processes with the concerns, interests, and priorities of young people in rural areas.

Address: Qemal Stafa, New Bazaar, building n74, floor 2. Tirana
Tel: +355 (04) 2400241
E-mail: [email protected] 
Web: facebook.com/ruralyouthhub.albania, ruralyouthhub.albania @instagram