SUSTAIN Seminar 2026 in Slovakia: Fully Supported Rural Youth Leadership and Policy-Making Opportunity for Young Europeans
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Rural Youth Europe (RYE) & Rural Youth Parliament in Slovakia (VPMS) – SUSTAIN Seminar 2026 – Hokovce, Slovakia
Complete guide to eligibility, benefits, responsibilities, and application process
Quick Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Rural Youth Europe (RYE) & Rural Youth Parliament in Slovakia (VPMS) |
| Programme | SUSTAIN Seminar 2026 |
| Location | Hokovce, Slovakia |
| Dates | 8–13 November 2026 (Main programme: 9–12 November) |
| Eligibility | Young people aged 18–30 with a connection to rural communities |
| Focus | Rural youth leadership, organisational sustainability, policy-making |
| Benefits | Accommodation, meals, travel reimbursement, no participation fee |
| Application Deadline | 25 September 2026 |
| Official Website | https://www.ruralyoutheurope.com/event-details/sustain-seminar-1 |
Opportunity Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Host Organisations | Rural Youth Europe (RYE) & Rural Youth Parliament in Slovakia (VPMS) |
| Opportunity Category | Seminar / Youth Exchange |
| Location | Hokovce, Slovakia |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Language | English |
About the SUSTAIN Seminar 2026
The SUSTAIN Seminar 2026 is inviting motivated young people from across Europe to participate in an international learning and networking event focused on strengthening rural youth organisations, developing sustainable youth networks, and increasing the participation of rural communities in decision-making.
Organised by Rural Youth Europe (RYE) and the Rural Youth Parliament in Slovakia (VPMS), the SUSTAIN Seminar will take place from 8 to 13 November 2026 in Hokovce, Slovakia, with the main seminar programme running from 9 to 12 November.
The event will bring together 25 young people from across Europe for peer learning, organisational development, policy engagement, networking and practical planning. The activity forms part of the Rural Youth Forward project, which is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union.
What Is the SUSTAIN Seminar?
The SUSTAIN Seminar is an international seminar focused on sustaining and growing local and national rural youth organisations and networks and strengthening their European dimension.
Rural youth organisations play an important role in creating opportunities for young people to participate in their communities and make their voices heard in decision-making. However, many organisations face challenges such as:
| Challenge | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Dependence on short-term funding |
| Capacity | Limited volunteer capacity |
| Structure | Informal organisational structures |
| Knowledge Transfer | Difficulties transferring knowledge between generations |
The SUSTAIN Seminar seeks to address these challenges by helping participants understand what is required not only to establish rural youth organisations, but also to maintain and grow them over the long term.
What Will Participants Learn?
The SUSTAIN Seminar has been designed around practical organisational and policy challenges. Participants will explore several important areas.
1. Organisational Sustainability
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Vision | Organisational vision |
| Governance | Governance structures |
| Membership | Membership engagement |
| Programmes | Programmes and services |
| Feedback | Feedback mechanisms |
| Risk Management | Risk management |
| Knowledge Transfer | Knowledge transfer |
| Development | Organisational development |
2. Leadership and Volunteer Engagement
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Leadership development |
| Volunteer Engagement | Volunteer engagement |
| Generational Renewal | Generational renewal |
| Knowledge Sharing | Knowledge sharing |
| Organisational Growth | Organisational growth |
| Team Building | Building stronger teams |
3. Financing and Partnerships
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Sustainable Financing | Sustainable financing models |
| Partnership Development | Partnership development |
| Organisational Growth | Organisational growth |
| Communication | Communication strategies |
| Stakeholder Relationships | Building relationships with stakeholders |
4. European Union Youth Participation Tools
| Tool | Details |
|---|---|
| Have Your Say | European Commission platform |
| European Citizens' Initiative | EU initiative tool |
| Citizens' Panels | Deliberative democracy |
| Public Consultations | EU consultations |
| Petitions | Petitions to the European Parliament |
5. Civic Dialogue
The programme will include a Civic Dialogue with European and national stakeholders. The dialogue will be supported by Europe Direct and an invited Team Europe expert.
6. European Parliament Simulation
Participants will take part in a simulation of the European Parliament. Through this activity, participants will experience elements of policy negotiation and collaborative decision-making while working toward a shared Rural Youth Resolution.
7. Organisational Action Plans
Participants will work on practical organisational action plans and recommendations that can contribute to the final policy paper of the Rural Youth Forward project.
Who Can Apply?
The SUSTAIN Seminar is aimed at young people who have a connection to rural communities and rural youth development.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| RYE Members | Active members of Rural Youth Europe member organisations or partner organisations |
| Rural Youth | Rural young people involved in local groups or community initiatives |
| Young Farmers | Young farmers |
| Emerging Organisations | Young people involved in emerging rural organisations |
| National Networks | Members of national rural youth networks |
| Youth Workers | Youth workers |
| Youth Leaders | Youth leaders |
| Youth Practitioners | Youth practitioners |
| NGO Supporters | People supporting rural youth through NGOs |
| Informal Groups | People involved in informal youth groups |
| Public Institutions | Individuals working with public institutions supporting rural youth |
Age Requirement
Applicants should be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of the seminar.
Seminar Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Arrival | 8 November 2026 |
| Main Seminar Programme | 9–12 November 2026 |
| Departure | 13 November 2026 |
| Overall Dates | 8–13 November 2026 |
Location
The seminar will take place in Hokovce, Slovakia.
Travel, Accommodation and Meals
The organisers will provide substantial support for selected participants.
| Support | Details |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | Shared accommodation covered by the organisers |
| Meals | All meals covered from dinner on 8 November through breakfast on 13 November 2026 |
| Travel Reimbursement | Travel to and from Hokovce will be reimbursed in accordance with the project's travel guidelines |
| Participation Fee | No participation fee |
Note: Applicants should wait until their participation has been officially confirmed before making travel or other arrangements.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must complete the official application form.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Access the official application form |
| 2 | Complete all required sections |
| 3 | Submit before 25 September 2026 |
| 4 | Wait for confirmation email from the selection team |
Note: Participation is by selection only, meaning that completing the application does not automatically guarantee a place at the seminar.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Posted | September 6, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | 25 September 2026 |
| Seminar Dates | 8–13 November 2026 |
Important Links
| Description | URL |
|---|---|
| Official SUSTAIN Seminar Page | https://www.ruralyoutheurope.com/event-details/sustain-seminar-1 |
| Application Form | https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJYuWcOB7O3VUm2M1UHZYY5Ox5T39OLsDVZIHhIzqQisblUw/viewform |
| Opportunities for Youth | |
| CareerFlora |
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Q1. What is the SUSTAIN Seminar? | International seminar on rural youth leadership and policy-making. |
| Q2. Where is it located? | Hokovce, Slovakia. |
| Q3. Who can apply? | Young people aged 18–30 with a connection to rural communities. |
| Q4. Is it fully supported? | Yes, accommodation, meals, travel reimbursement, and no participation fee. |
| Q5. What are the benefits? | Peer learning, organisational development, policy engagement, networking. |
| Q6. What are the responsibilities? | Active participation in all seminar activities. |
| Q7. Is work authorization provided? | Not applicable (seminar in Slovakia). |
| Q8. What is the deadline? | 25 September 2026. |
| Q9. How to apply? | Through the official application form. |
| Q10. When does the seminar start? | 8 November 2026. |
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The SUSTAIN Seminar 2026 offers a unique opportunity for young Europeans involved in rural communities and youth development to strengthen their organisational, leadership and policy-making skills. The seminar's emphasis on peer learning, practical workshops, organisational assessment, and policy engagement provides participants with meaningful experience that can shape their careers in rural development and youth work.
The fully supported nature of the seminar, combined with the international networking opportunities and the European Parliament simulation, ensures that selected participants receive high-quality exposure to European policy processes and rural youth development practices.
Best Opportunity For
| Category | Suitable |
|---|---|
| Young Europeans (18-30) | Yes |
| Rural Youth Leaders | Yes |
| Youth Workers | Yes |
| Young Farmers | Yes |
| Community Activists | Yes |
| NGO Representatives | Yes |
| Youth Practitioners | Yes |
| Members of Rural Youth Networks | Yes |
Competition Level
| Category | Level |
|---|---|
| Overall Competition | High |
| Selection Difficulty | Competitive |
| Application Complexity | Medium |
CareerFlora Recommendation
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Seminar Value | Excellent |
| Career Growth | Very High |
| Application Difficulty | Medium |
| Apply Early | Strongly Recommended |
Final Call-to-Action
Apply for SUSTAIN Seminar 2026 before 25 September 2026.
Visit the official application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJYuWcOB7O3VUm2M1UHZYY5Ox5T39OLsDVZIHhIzqQisblUw/viewform
Review eligibility requirements
Complete all sections of the application form
Submit before 25 September 2026
Wait for official confirmation before making travel arrangements
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