Five of the members of the Forth Valley and Lomond YLAG (Chiara, Elle, Janhi, Mia and Michaela) attended the European Rural Youth Parliament (ERYP) and the European Rural Parliament (ERP) in Inverurie in Aberdeenshire between 20th and 23rd October 2025. Also attended was Anne-Michelle (CLLD Coordinator for Forth Valley and Lomond) and Sue (Chair of the Forth Valley and Lomond LAG).  

ERP and ERYP was a unique opportunity that brought together 400 delegates from 40 European countries in Inverurie. The focus of the 2025 ERP was: Strength from Opportunity: Rural Community Solutions to Global Challenges. 

Our YLAG members attended various panels and workshops. Some of the workshop themes were rural women changemakers, education, career opportunities for rural youth and inclusivity. The study visits our YLAG members attended focused on climate resilience.

Mia and Chiara helped organise and coordinate ERYP and ERP and worked on the planning and delivery of the events throughout.

Michaela was on the youth steering group and was the youth representative on a panel about the future of the European Rural Parliament. Michaela spoke about the importance of young people’s voices and that young people are the present as well as the future.

ERP and ERYP shows that it is important to continue working together. It was good to share ideas and connect with people from rural communities. We look forward to future collaboration.

Photo is of Michaela is discussion with the EU Hannes Lorenzen, ARC2020 Agricultural and Rural Convention and Alexia Rouby, European Commission DG Agri, photo credit Elle

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