Youth4Agri

The project, led by the Hungarian agency BORA 94, is part of a program supporting the development of competencies for smart specialization and industrial transformation in Central Europe. The project combines the results and outcomes of four previously implemented projects (AGRI-DIGITAL-GROWTH, AGROTUR+, TASK4ISI, D-EFFECT), further developing its youth work approach, creating a new, integrated transnational solution. The project's target group is rural youth aged 18-30, who have limited access to such initiatives due to economic constraints and often communication exclusion.

Project Goal

The goal of Youth4Agri is to provide a better competency environment for young people and to equip them with new skills to support the transformation of agriculture towards a green and digital transformation, using a people-centered approach.
The project aims to overcome the obstacles facing young people that limit social and professional mobility. Transnational cooperation aims to build competitiveness and resilience in partner territories and encourage the movement of qualified young people across borders.
The project aims to increase:
- the mobility of young people,
- their career opportunities in agriculture,
- the competitiveness of rural regions,
- transnational cooperation.

Youth4Agri does not create new tools from scratch, but combines the best existing solutions into a coherent system that develops young people's competences, strengthens the agriculture of the future, removes cross-border barriers, and builds lasting international cooperation across Central European countries.

Key Project Activities

Establishment and launch of a transnational Youth Forum (Youth Forum), which will support pilot activities and promote the active participation and engagement of young people.
Pilot implementation of a training program on sustainable and digital agriculture, including online educational modules, including precision agriculture.
Organization of a transnational summer school in Slovenia, combining education on sustainable production with fieldwork and study visits.
Launch of a support and advisory platform offering youth, among other things, Business training and mentoring to facilitate cross-border mobility.
Organization of an international festival (Youth4Agri Festival)
Development of a transnational strategy and local action plans to permanently implement the project's solutions.

Benefits for young people resulting from the project implementation

Acquiring modern competencies in precision agriculture, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Access to personalized counseling, expert support, and networking workshops at specialized support hubs.
Overcoming so-called "soft barriers," such as communication difficulties, cultural differences, and lack of knowledge about job opportunities abroad.
Building international contacts, exchanging experiences, and actively participating in decision-making processes through membership in the Youth Forum.

PROJECT BRIEF

Source of financing: Interreg Central Europe
Association role: Project partner with its own budget
Application stage: Waiting for contract signature
Start date: September 1, 2026
Project duration: 24 months (until August 31, 2028)
Project budget: EUR 908,798.80
STG ERB budget: EUR 170,982.00
Own contribution: EUR 34,196.40 (20%)

CONE

CONE - Cities of nature: nature-based-solutions in urban living labs

The project aims to establish a multidimensional “Living Lab” to apply nature-based solutions in local contexts as a cross-sectoral, more digital, and democratic approach to mitigating and adapting to climate change. The project contributes to increasing resilience to climate change and natural disasters by implementing tailored measures with a participatory approach and supporting integrated climate adaptation policies at the local and regional levels.

Due to significant environmental, socio-economic, and human health impacts, Central European regions must increase resilience to climate change. According to the conceptual framework of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) on resilience, it is defined as the ability to face shocks and lasting structural changes in such a way that social welfare is maintained without compromising the heritage of future generations (JRC). To achieve this and ensure further urban development and adaptation of the local urban environment, CONE aims to address identified challenges and needs through local innovation living labs that engage actors from the quadruple helix: public sector, private sector, civil society, and academia.

The Urban Living Lab method includes three implementation phases:

Joint research and context analysis to confirm identified challenges and recognize needs and barriers in the local context.
Experimental phase, which includes ideation of innovative solutions, their incubation, and strategy development.
Experiments and feedback: testing the implemented solution, collecting feedback, suggestions for improvements, validation, and replication.

There is a strong need to incorporate climate change issues into strategic risk-based planning and resilience-enhancing measures. Therefore, the innovation lies in a more democratic and data-driven approach that leads to community empowerment and raising awareness regarding climate change and potential mitigation and adaptation solutions. Within this framework, even if not technologically advanced, nature-based solutions can be a valuable and sustainable ally in combination with a participatory approach.

The CONE project will explore how the Urban Living Lab approach can be scalable and adaptable in more rural, small, and medium-sized settlements in Europe. The partnership will select co-creation / participatory design, implementation, and monitoring methods for NBS that are feasible and affordable in such Central European municipalities. The main focus will be on exploring and testing specific “living lab” methods that help municipalities design and implement - based on broader citizen engagement and better data collection, management, and use.

Link to the external project website