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Youth cooperatives in rural areas have become one of the most relevant actors in promoting more sustainable, inclusive economic models rooted in local territories. In a context of rural depopulation and ecological transition, these initiatives represent a concrete response to the challenges set out by the United Nations through the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. Rural youth: between demographic challenges and social innovation Rural areas, especially in regions such

As the European Union-funded Erasmus+ KA210-YOU project NYDES – NEET Youth Developing Entrepreneurial Skills approaches its final phase, Çorlu Municipality brought together young people, local stakeholders and neighbouring municipalities for a face-to-face dissemination and results-sharing event in Çorlu. The NYDES project is funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ Programme and supported by the Spanish National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth and Sport – Agencia Nacional

by Vasilis Taktikos, Institute for Studies of Social Economy Energy communities are a catalytic example of social entrepreneurship.They represent a dynamic, grassroots institutional initiative that can provide free energy to municipalities, while at the same time offering practical experience in organizing cooperative models and the social economy across various sectors of local development. A relatively small investment can ensure energy sufficiency for municipal buildings a

A guide to ideas that young entrepreneurs can develop collectively — without leaving their village. The rural world is full of resources: land, landscape, knowledge passed down through generations, and a community that, when it comes together, is capable of sustaining projects no individual could manage alone. What is often missing is not the raw material but the way to organise it. Cooperativism offers precisely that: a structure that shares risk, distributes decision

As the NYDES project comes to an end, we are proud to introduce one of our most meaningful final outputs: the NYDES Guidebook —a practical, user-friendly resource designed to support NEET youth (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) in their pathways toward employment, entrepreneurship, leadership, and active participation in society. Built on international cooperation and real field experience, the guidebook is intended not only for young people, but also for youth w

by Vasilis Taktikos, Institute for Studies of Social Economy Executive Summary The development of mountain tourism requires coordinated knowledge generation, skills enhancement, and participatory governance. This report explores the role of learning communities and electronic learning communities as strategic tools for fostering lifelong learning, decentralizing knowledge, and supporting sustainable regional development. By leveraging digital platforms and social networks,

by Vasilis Taktikos, Institute for Studies of Social Economy Abstract The organizational innovation that promotes qualitative local self-sufficiency within the agri-food sector is Socially Supported Agriculture (SSA) . This model constitutes a partnership between producers and consumers, established for their mutual benefit and for the advancement of community-oriented agricultural practices. 1. Introduction Socially Supported Agriculture entails a direct collaboration bet

Across rural areas, countless young people between the ages of 18 and 29 face significant economic, geographical, and social challenges....

In this thought-provoking article, Professor Andreas N. Lytras outlines an ambitious and pragmatic proposal that links sustainable...

Cooperatives represent a strong alternative to traditional business models. Based on democratic principles, these organizations...

In rural towns scattered across Greece, Spain, and Turkey, thousands of young people find themselves caught in a difficult position. They...

Mr. Vassilis Taktikos (Social Economy Expert) speaks to us, analyzes a series of factors that the institutions must follow in order for...

In rural areas of Spain, Turkey, and Greece, a project called Rural Entrepreneurship Empowered by Motivation: NEET Youth Developing...

When considering the challenges that NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) youth face in rural areas, it is evident that...

Entrepreneurial skills are a crucial asset for young individuals, especially those who may find themselves disengaged from traditional...