Date/Period: 1^st semester 2025–2026

Deadline for registration: 15 September

Register via Google Form

Participants must attend the full session and contribute to collaborative tasks.

Course Calendar

• 1^st week – 29 September to 3 October (online)
• 2^nd week – 6 to 10 October (online)
• 3^rd week – 13 to 17 October (face-to-face)
• 4^th week – 27 to 31 October (online)

Daily Schedule (Brussels time)

Objectives of the Call

• Empower youth to become active agents of change in rural communities.
• Enable students to identify local challenges, voice concerns, and co-design solutions.
• Foster youth-centred, inclusive development by connecting students, universities, and local stakeholders.
• Promote social inclusion, participatory democracy, and sustainable innovation.

Course Short Description

ACTYouth – Youth in Action: Young People as Agents of Change in Rural Communities is a 4-week Applied Blended Challenge (ABC) programme combining online and face-to-face learning. Students will work in international teams to tackle real-world problems faced by rural youth, culminating in the design and presentation of community-based project proposals.

Target Group

Suited for students passionate about youth engagement, community development, and social innovation, regardless of academic background.

Learning Objectives

• Identify and critically analyse challenges in rural youth contexts.
• Collaborate with peers and local stakeholders.
• Co-design impactful, community-based projects.
• Develop key transversal skills:
  • Critical thinking & problem-solving
  • Communication & advocacy
  • Creativity & innovation
  • Project planning & leadership
  • Intercultural awareness & teamwork
• Reflect on their development as change-makers.

Structure & Methodology

Format: Blended (online + in-person in Santarém, Portugal)

Duration: 4 weeks (90 hours total; 3 ECTS)

• Weeks 1–2: Online sessions and tasks
• Week 3: Face-to-face training and fieldwork
• Week 4: Online closing sessions and reflection

Certification

A certificate of attendance will be issued by the organisers upon successful participation. The certificate will list:

• Course title
• Learning outcomes
• Developed competences
• Duration (90 h / 3 ECTS)