The Council of the EU is not completely at a standstill during the coronavirus pandemic. Indeed, the Croatian Presidency is continuing to prepare a series of initiatives that are considered to be non-sensitive, such as, for example, draft conclusions on young people in rural and remote areas, in view of the (possibly virtual) meeting of Education Ministers on 18 and 19 May.
The text, on which Member States are invited to send their comments by 30 March, is entitled ‘Increasing opportunities for young people in rural and remote areas’ (see EUROPE 12409/14).
The 13-page document begins by highlighting “the opportunities offered by rural and remote areas such as proximity to nature, lower housing costs and a greater sense of community”. It also contains a series of recommendations to the EU Council and the Commission, including that of further encouraging young people in the countryside to “engage in agricultural and non-agricultural activities”.
The Presidency notes that at present only 6% of all farms in the European Union are managed by farmers under 35 years of age, without really asking why young people no longer engage in such an activity, which has now become unprofitable. The Presidency suggests different ways for States to encourage young people to take this path, such as business start-up grants, income incentives and targeted education and training.
For the rest, the Croatian Presidency recommends that Member States improve access to services, including employment services, connectivity and transport. The Presidency instructs the European Commission to carry out studies to provide more data on young people in rural areas. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)