In this episode of Rural Voices, we return to the Powering Change – Empowering Rural Youth for Energy Communities project to explore what renewable energy looks like in practice across rural Europe.

We hear from Sophie Bell in Ireland, a young farmer introducing renewable energy solutions on her farm, and Marina Sainz de la Maza Ortiz in Spain, who shares the realities of trying to establish a community-led energy project in her local area. Together, they discuss the opportunities, challenges and importance of ensuring rural communities have a voice in the energy transition.

From solar-powered farming to grassroots energy activism, this episode highlights how young people are helping shape a more sustainable future for rural areas.

Read our interactive guide ‘Getting Started with Rural Energy Communities’ here: https://rebrand.ly/02933e and our step-by-step guide ‘Building your own energy community’ here: https://rebrand.ly/c832ee.

In this episode we’re taking you back to the first ever European Rural Youth Forward Conference. Earlier this year, around 100 rural youth leaders and European policy-makers gathered in Piloña, Spain, for an event dedicated to strengthening rural youth policy-making across Europe.

Hear from Ketrin, Spyros, Rosie, Martin and Jana from the RYE team, as they catch up with some of the conference delegates about their work ensuring rural voices are heard at a national and European level. They speak to Matías Rubio (EPA! Association), Lenka Lejčková (National Local Action Group Network of the Czech Republic), Richard Beattie (Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster) and Landry Gourdon (Familles Rurales).

Links:

National Local Action Group Network of the Czech Republic - 21 examples of Participation and Engagement: https://rebrand.ly/9f54d4

Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster: www.yfcu.org

Familles Rurales: https://www.famillesrurales.org

Find out more about the Rural Youth Forward project: https://rebrand.ly/93e0f9

The podcast is part of Rural Youth Forward project and its European Rural Youth Forward Conference event.

This podcast has been produced by Rural Youth Europe with the financial support of European Union and the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe. The opinions expressed herein are the responsibility of the authors and do not reflect the official opinion of the Council of Europe and European Union.

What happens when rural youth take control of their own stories? Recorded during our 2026 Study Session on media literacy, this episode brings together voices from across Europe to challenge stereotypes, unpack misconceptions, and share real experiences of rural life.

What are the hidden strengths of rural communities? And what are the misconceptions of living in rural areas? Co-produced by the participants of the Study Session, you will hear 19 different voices from across Europe sharing their thoughts. This episode was recorded at the European Youth Centre in Budapest in collaboration with the Council of Europe Youth Department.