Despite an EU-wide commitment to rural development, research has rarely focused on the lives of young people in rural areas, their experiences in education and employment, their perceptions of policies relevant to them, and their possibilities of participation. Based on a two-year European research project on policies and young people in rural development, this edited volume examines these issues and considers young people's experiences of rural life in Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and Scotland. The volume is organized thematically with each chapter addressing a specific topic in one or more countries. These topics comprise: the attractiveness of rural areas to young people; the impact of programmes under the European Employment Guidelines; rural youth in local community development and partnerships; rural development programmes and their impact on youth integration; the role of social networks; and the transition from education to employment. A number of implications for policy and practice are drawn out in conclusion. This book will be of interest to anyone concerned with the future of rural areas and with those who live in the European countryside.

About the Author
Birgit Jentsch, Mark Shucksmith

Reviews
'This book is a timely and critical intervention into the emerging field of rural youth studies. It is far-reaching and comprehensive and makes an important contribution to our understanding of the mechanisms that affect young people's participation in the diverse societies...will be of interest to academics, policy makers and practitioners in relevant fields and the Europe-wide focus should attract readers from across the EU and beyond.' Dr Michael Leyshon, University of Exeter, UK 'This book will make a timely and important contribution to both rural studies and youth studies...This is a weighty book, and packed with detail which will appeal more to the specialist than the reader seeking quick and simple answers, but policy makers across Europe should take note of its conclusions.' Professor Gill Jones, Keele University, UK 'The main chapters...provide a broad range of perspectives that should be of interest to policymakers, academics and practitioners in the emerging field of rural youth studies .' Youth Studies Australia '...a good source for policy makers interested in European policy.' Social Policy 'Given the historical neglect of rural issues in some social professions and the current resurgence of interest, this book is timely...[it] effectively highlights the knowledge gaps that exist in terms of cross-national data and moves beyond a narrowly focused economic perspective on rural development by illustrating some of the broader issues that concern young people.' European Journal of Social Work '...the authors cater well for the needs of both researchers in the field of youth and rural development and policy makers at local, regional, national and European level. The research is a major achievement not only because of this, but also because it fills an enormous gap in our understanding of youth transitions and rural development.' Tijdschrift voor economische en sociale geografie



Book Information
ISBN 9781138258587
Author Birgit Jentsch
Format Paperback
Page Count 346
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g