The Manifesto focuses on nine key areas: enterprise, connectivity, housing, transport, rural learning, employment, community and society, representation, and mental health.
The overarching aim of the asks within the Manifesto is to raise awareness of what young people need, and, above all, it aims to inspire and encourage decision-makers at all levels to meaningfully engage with young people.
The Manifesto draws on four years’ worth of qualitative and quantitative learnings collected by the Rural Youth Project. The key recommendations include:
- Creating mobile mental health support services that can travel to more rural and remote communities.
- Establishing a Rural Youth Task Force and give a ministerial responsibility for Rural Youth.
- To introduce a specific rural housing grant for young first-time homeowners looking to build, buy or renovate in a rural area, similar to the Croft House Grant Scheme.
