Partner to partner meeting in Slovenia
Project partner Smart House hosts Partner to Partner (P2P) meeting to support the transfer of good practices resulting from interregional exchange and expertise-sharing activities.
On November 18, 2024, Smart House gathered the following speakers:
- Doris Letina – ZSPM
- Dorian Gjerkeš and Katarina Puhan Gjerkeš - Tourist Farm Puhan
- Beatriz Vital – Association of Creative Youth
1. Presentation of Doris Letina – Association of Slovenian Rural Youth
Key activities of the association include supporting young farmers, promoting entrepreneurship and advocating for rural youth.
- Training and mentoring programme for young people who want to stay or get involved in rural development.
- Challenges faced by young farmers such as access to farmland, financing and the digitalisation of agriculture.
- She stressed the importance of international cooperation and the use of EU funds for rural projects.
Key incentive: more educational opportunities for young people (encouraging and teaching children about food) and their active involvement in agricultural policy and local development strategies.
2. Presentation of Dorian Gjerkeš – Touristic Farm Puhan
Dorian Gjerkeš with wife Katarina Puhan Gjerkeš, the young owners of the farm, presented their journey from an idea to a successful tourist farm.
- The focus was on linking traditional agricultural activities with tourism, which brings additional value to the region and allows for a more stable income.
- They highlighted the importance of digital presence and innovation in tourism, as modern visitors expect unique experiences.
- They also presented the challenges in the transition to sustainable business, such as access to funding, bureaucratic procedures and finding appropriate marketing channels.
Key incentive: Integration of agriculture and tourism opens up new opportunities for young people, but additional support is needed in terms of procedures and funding.
3. Presentation of the Beatriz Vital – Association of Creative youth
The Creative Youth Association presented its projects for young people that promote creativity, entrepreneurship and sustainable initiatives.
- Special attention was given to the involvement of young people in local and international projects that allow them to exchange experiences and develop skills.
- Beatriz Vital highlighted the importance of bringing together different sectors - from culture to business - to create better conditions for young people in rural areas.
- She highlighted the importance of creating spaces for young people to develop their ideas and connect with like-minded people.
Key incentive: More investment in youth initiatives and connecting creative projects with other sectors of the economy.
Conclusion
The Partner to Partner (P2P) meeting was a successful step towards the exchange of experiences and knowledge transfer between organisations and individuals working in rural development. Puhan Tourist Farm, the Slovenian Rural Youth Association and the Association of Creative Youth presented excellent examples of how young people with their vision and commitment can create new opportunities in rural areas.
With the lessons learnt and recommendations, Rural Youth Future will continue to support young people in developing their ideas, connecting with local stakeholders and finding innovative solutions for the future of rural areas.
Next steps in project Rural Youth Future:
- Implementation of additional mentoring sessions for young entrepreneurs and farmers.
- Strengthening cooperation between municipalities, organisations and entrepreneurs in creating opportunities for rural youth through public calls created by LAS Goričko.