The Macra Rural Youth roadshow recently took place, travelling across the country and visiting venues in each of the three regions – Leinster, North-West and Munster.

The initiative provided an important opportunity to engage directly with members and bring the work of the Rural Youth Subcommittee to the forefront.

At each stop, the roadshow offered members valuable insight into the structure and ongoing work of the Rural Youth Subcommittee.

ADVERTISEMENT

A key focus was the Rural Youth calendar, which outlines themes and priorities for each month of the year. Members were encouraged to actively engage with the calendar by hosting events aligned with its themes. As the committee begins to consider the development of next year’s RY calendar, members were also encouraged to share any ideas for key themes.

A central element of the roadshow was its interactive format. Members were invited to share their experiences and perspectives through a series of roundtable discussions facilitated by representatives of the Rural Youth committee.

These discussions centred on the vision of developing a healthy, prosperous and liveable rural Ireland for young people.

A number of recurring challenges emerged throughout the sessions. Rural housing was consistently highlighted as a major concern, with members outlining difficulties ranging from securing planning permission to accessing affordable homes to rent or purchase.

The lack of essential services in rural areas also featured prominently, particularly issues surrounding broadband connectivity and limited public transport options.

In addition, members spoke about the changing nature of their communities. Many described how rural towns and villages are gradually declining, with local businesses and services closing over time.

This has had a significant impact on both social life and economic opportunities in these areas. The need for greater supports around physical and mental health was also emphasised, reflecting growing awareness of wellbeing challenges faced by young people living in rural Ireland.

The valuable insights gathered during the roadshow will play a key role in shaping the Rural Youth committee’s contribution to Macra’s pre-budget submission, ensuring that the real concerns of rural young people are represented at policy level.

Finally, sincere thanks were extended to all members who took the time to attend and contribute.

Those interested in becoming more involved were encouraged to keep an eye out for co-option forms and consider joining the Rural Youth Committee in the future.