The D-LEAD – Digitalisation for Next-Gen Agricultural Leaders project, funded under the Erasmus+ Programme (KA154-YOU), has come to a successful conclusion, marking an inspiring milestone for rural youth engagement in agricultural and environmental policy. Over an 18-month journey, D-LEAD connected passionate young people from across Europe, empowered them with digital and leadership skills, and opened new pathways for their active participation in shaping the future of farming.

From 1–6 June 2025, the city of Naoussa, Greece became the heart of this initiative by hosting the AgriForum on Digitalising Policies for Livestock Farming and Crop Production. This six-day international training gathered 55 participants from Greece, Germany, France, and Spain, alongside local farmers, policy-makers, and agri-entrepreneurs. It created a vibrant and inclusive space for transnational dialogue, where rural youth were not only learners but also decision-shapers.

The Vision Behind D-LEAD

Agriculture remains one of the most important sectors in Europe, yet it faces pressing challenges: an aging farmer population, barriers for young people to enter the sector, and the urgent need for sustainable and digital solutions. Today, 57.5% of EU farmers are over 55, while only 1 in 10 is under 40. This generational gap threatens the future of farming.

At the same time, young people show strong interest in eco-conscious lifestyles, local food systems, and climate action, but often lack the tools, opportunities, and platforms to influence agricultural decision-making.

D-LEAD was created to respond to this gap. Its objectives were to:

• Encourage rural youth to get involved in local and European agricultural policies.
• Strengthen their capacity to express opinions, negotiate, and take part in decision-making.
• Promote critical thinking, ensuring young people do not passively accept policies but challenge them constructively.
• Raise awareness about EU initiatives such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the Farm to Fork Strategy.
• Build leadership and digital skills, essential for careers and civic engagement.

By aligning with EU Youth Goals #9 (Space and Participation for All) and #10 (Sustainable Green Europe), D-LEAD placed young people at the center of rural transformation.

Activities that Made an Impact

Throughout its implementation, D-LEAD combined local youth events with a major international mobility, ensuring that both grassroots and transnational dimensions were included.

1. Digital Rural Youth Hubs – Local spaces where young people learned about agricultural processes, digital farming tools, and sustainable practices.
2. Youth Debate on Digital Farming – A platform for young farmers and decision-makers to discuss how technology can modernize agriculture.
3. Round Table on Agricultural Policy Digitalisation – An opportunity for youth to engage directly with experts and officials.
4. Youth Agro-Campaign – Awareness-raising campaigns led by participants to promote sustainable and digital agri-policy reforms in their communities.
5. AgriForum (Naoussa, June 2025) – The flagship training mobility, bringing together participants from four countries for workshops, debates, and simulations
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Inside the AgriForum Experience

The six-day programme in Naoussa was carefully designed to mix learning, creativity, and policy influence.

• Day 1: Welcome activities, icebreakers, and an introduction to D-LEAD set the tone. The first workshop, “The CAP Decoded”, broke down the Common Agricultural Policy in an accessible way.
• Day 2: Youth explored digital agriculture through “From Users to Influencers” workshops and participated in a role-play simulation on municipal decision-making for livestock regulation.
• Day 3: Participants designed youth proposals for smart agriculture, focusing on practical solutions for local challenges.
• Day 4–5: Teams worked on youth advocacy campaigns, learning how agricultural decisions are made and how young people can influence them. Training sessions focused on presenting ideas to public authorities.
• Day 6: Final group presentations and an Open Dialogue with local authorities gave participants a chance to showcase their advocacy projects and exchange directly with decision-makers.

Workshops were complemented by energisers, interactive discussions, and networking sessions, creating a lively and inclusive atmosphere.

Outcomes and Impact

D-LEAD went beyond awareness — it transformed participation into policy influence. Through the AgriForum and other activities, participants:

• Developed youth-led policy recommendations on digital and sustainable agriculture.
• Strengthened their leadership, communication, and advocacy skills.
• Built cross-border networks for continued collaboration.
• Contributed to a Youth Policy Report, which will be shared with local authorities and EU institutions.

For many participants, this was the first time engaging directly with agricultural policy-making. The project showed that rural youth can bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, and that their voices matter in shaping Europe’s agricultural future.

Why This Project Matters

The success of D-LEAD demonstrates that youth participation in rural policy is not optional — it is essential. By promoting bottom-up innovation, strengthening digital inclusion, and fostering collaboration between generations, the project contributed directly to broader EU strategies, including the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy.

Most importantly, D-LEAD has proven that when young people are given space, tools, and confidence, they become agents of change. They connect their passion for sustainability and technology with real action, turning local challenges into European solutions.

Looking Ahead

The end of the AgriForum is not the end of D-LEAD’s journey. The networks created, the skills developed, and the policy ideas generated will continue to influence youth participation and agricultural policy-making in the years to come.

🙌 We thank all the participants, partners, trainers, and stakeholders who contributed to this incredible journey. Together, we lead — towards a greener, more digital, and more inclusive Europe.

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