Drafting change – a training course about policy-making and media advocacy

In January 2025, we brought together youth workers and young changemakers from 13 countries for a training course in Romania, part of our Erasmus+ strategy in the field of youth. The project, titled “From Rural to Plural – Training Course on Youth Policy-Making and Media Advocacy,” focused on strengthening youth participation in decision-making, with a special emphasis on policy processes and the use of media as a tool for advocacy.

Organized by the Active Development Association (ADA), the training continued our commitment to supporting rural youth participation across Europe by equipping youth workers and multipliers with knowledge, tools, and confidence to help young people engage meaningfully with public policy.

 

Why this training, and why now?

In many rural areas across Europe, young people are still far from decision-making tables. Whether it’s due to lack of information, weak consultation mechanisms, or limited confidence, rural youth often find themselves excluded from shaping the policies that directly affect them.

At the same time, digital tools and media offer new opportunities to raise voices, amplify stories, and advocate for change — but only if we know how to use them strategically and ethically.

This training was born at the intersection of those two needs:
→ on one hand, to understand how youth policy works, from local councils to European frameworks,
→ and on the other, to develop media advocacy skills that make youth voices heard in meaningful, impactful ways.

 

What happened during the training

Over 8 days, participants from 8 countries went through an intensive, hands-on learning process that combined non-formal education with peer exchange, reflection, and creativity. The training course didn’t just focus on theory — it was about making sense of youth participation and advocacy in real life, and equipping people who work with young people to bring these topics home. The goal was simple: to bridge the gap between youth work and youth policy, and to explore how media can support advocacy at the local, national, and European level.

Starting from where we are: We began by getting to know each other and setting the foundation for our learning space. After settling in, participants co-created group agreements and explored their personal motivations — why they chose to be part of this experience, what they hoped to gain, and how they connect with the topics of youth participation and rural realities. These early moments helped shape a common ground rooted in trust and curiosity.

Making sense of youth participation and policy: In the following days, we explored what youth participation really means — beyond the buzzwords. What is policy? How are decisions made? And more importantly, how can young people — especially those from rural areas — be part of shaping those decisions? Through participatory mapping, discussions, and case studies, participants unpacked the public institutions and policy frameworks that exist (or don’t) in their countries and shared their experiences of youth involvement back home.

We also dived into the challenges: limited access to information, tokenistic consultations, lack of trust, or simply not knowing where to start. By bringing those realities into space, the group started to see both the barriers and the possibilities for change.

From understanding to action: The training then shifted toward advocacy. Together, we explored what it means to advocate for something — not just reactively, but strategically and ethically. Through simulations and group work, participants practiced identifying issues, crafting messages, and targeting decision-makers. We talked about power: who has it, how it’s used, and how young people can claim space and influence public agendas. It became clear that advocacy doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful — it can also be thoughtful, creative, and community-based.

Exploring media as a tool: Once we had a shared understanding of advocacy, we moved into media work. Participants learned how communication can support youth-led change, and how storytelling, visuals, and digital tools can help bring attention to issues that matter. But we also looked at risks — like misinformation, stereotyping, or exclusion — and how to keep campaigns values-based and inclusive.

National teams then got to work shaping media advocacy concepts around challenges they identified in their own communities. Whether it was about access to education, rural youth involvement in local policies, or visibility of marginalized groups, each team started crafting messages, identifying platforms, and thinking creatively.

Prototyping and feedback: In the second half of the project, the room turned into a media lab. Teams tested out their ideas, presented prototypes, and received feedback from peers and facilitators. Some used visual storytelling, others focused on social media strategies — but all were rooted in a shared goal: to make rural youth voices heard, and to shift the way their communities think about youth participation.

Closing and looking forward: The final day was about reflection and planning. We looked back on what we’d learned, what challenged us, and what we want to carry forward. Participants created personal action plans and shared how they’ll bring these tools and ideas into their work with young people.

We ended the training the way we began — in a circle, together — with a deeper understanding of ourselves, of each other, and of the roles we can play in making youth participation real, relevant, and rooted in human rights.

 

Participant voices

Over eight days of learning, debating, and creating together, the participants not only explored the complex world of youth policy and advocacy but also built meaningful relationships across borders. Their reflections speak volumes about what this experience meant — both professionally and personally. Here’s what some of them had to say:

“This experience has been very positive for me because I learned a lot about policies and activities in rural areas, surrounded by the best people.” – Laura, Spain

 

“The training course was an amazing learning experience. It was great and inspiring to get to know the work of other organizations and connect the needs of young people from rural areas across all of the countries. I especially found it motivating to connect with people who share the same hopes for the future of rural youth and face similar challenges — we felt that we can do even more together as a big team and an even bigger rural European community.” – Alexandra, Romania

 

“Making policies is a very hard topic. Yet, working together on it, sharing experiences, and finding new ways to get involved helps us have an impact. Youngsters from rural areas deserve it.” – Dorian, Belgium

 

“It has been a growing experience because I learned about rural people and the problems they are facing. I also met inspiring people who I’d like to keep in touch with.” – Xia, Spain

 

“This project has been extremely inspirational for me. ADA managed to create a safe environment where everyone had the opportunity to develop new skills and unlock their full potential. I strongly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a truly unique opportunity to learn from the best and become part of an international community.” – Anastasia, Greece

 

“I am excited and motivated. I gained a lot of experience for my future work with rural youth.” – Inna, Ukraine

 

“My experience on this training course was extremely enriching. I learned about the challenges of youth in rural areas, how to develop policies and advocacy campaigns, and I was inspired by the energy and talent of the young participants — in addition to discovering the incredible projects of the host organization.” – Filipa, Portugal

 

“It was wonderful. There were so many impressive people who bring something progressive to this generation. I learned a lot about policies and advocacy — not just theoretically, but also practically — so it was easier to remember.” – Mária, Slovakia

 

“The experience was very rewarding, due to the learning, group dynamics, and the sharing of knowledge and experiences. The interactive way in which the facilitators approached the topics was also interesting.” – João, Portugal

 

“This training course was an amazing opportunity to learn how to advocate for (not only) young people and their needs. I gained so much knowledge about youth policy, but also about other cultures, the experiences of my peers, and their communities.” – Ema, Czechia

 

“It was a great opportunity to learn and experience different scenarios from around the world.” – Lara, Malta

 

“This experience was quite inspiring — really. It was a very special space to collaborate, grow, and reflect on our insights. I connected with amazing people, picked up so many valuable lessons, and left feeling empowered and motivated to further create an impact. A truly life-changing journey!” – Inga, Armenia

 

“Participating in the project was an enriching and eye-opening experience. I had the opportunity to learn about policy-making processes, media advocacy strategies, and the challenges faced by rural youth. The interactive workshops, discussions, and collaboration with participants from different backgrounds made this journey truly inspiring. I am leaving with valuable knowledge, new connections, and a strong motivation to engage in youth advocacy and policymaking in my own community.” – Evelína, Czechia

 

What’s next?

This training course was more than a one-time learning experience — it marked the start of a wider journey toward strengthening youth policy education and grassroots advocacy, especially in rural areas. As part of our ongoing work under the Erasmus+ accreditation, we’re committed to supporting rural youth not just to learn about policies, but to shape them.

Already, many of the participants have taken their next steps: organizing workshops in their communities, leading youth consultations, and helping peers get involved in local decision-making. At ADA, we continue to walk alongside them — offering follow-up mentoring, building new local partnerships, and growing our shared commitment to inclusive, community-driven change.

But this is only the beginning.

In the coming months, we’ll reconnect with many of the participants at the European Rural Youth Summit in Slovakia. The insights, tools, and knowledge developed during this training will feed directly into a collective effort: co-creating a policy proposal with recommendations for European institutions and member states, focused on intercultural dialogue and the wellbeing of rural youth.

Because rural youth shouldn’t just be mentioned in policies — they should be the ones shaping them. And when young people understand how decisions are made, and how to make themselves heard, change becomes more than possible — it becomes inevitable.

Disclaimer: The mobility was organized within the project 2024-1-RO01-KA151-YOU-000207686, under Active Development Association’s Erasmus+ accreditation in the field of youth no. 2022-1-RO01-KA150-YOU-00011043. The project was funded by the European Union.