Participants at the Training Meeting in Sweden.

From 2021 to 2024, the Rural Entrepreneurship for You(th) project united eight ISKCON and ISKCON-friendly organizations from European countries in a common effort to address challenges faced by rural communities concerning young people. Funded by the EU’s Erasmus+ program in Hungary, this collaborative project sought to empower youth by fostering entrepreneurship, promoting sustainability, and encouraging cultural exchange. At the heart of its continuity lies the Online Educational Platform—a resource designed to share and preserve the initiative’s achievements and inspire future projects.

Kamala Priya Devi Dasi (Katja S.), the Project Coordinator of the partner organization ISKCON Almvik in Sweden, emphasized its cooperative spirit. “The project wasn’t led by any single individual or country even though the Hungarian partner organization – Eco Valley Foundation, had a coordinating role. It was a shared journey where each organization and every individual brought something unique to the table. The three training activities for youth (in Hungary, Sweden, and Italy), for instance, were vibrant opportunities for sharing expertise and cross-cultural learning,” she explained.

The Rural Entrepreneurship for You(th) project arose from a shared recognition of the challenges facing rural areas, including limited job opportunities for youth and environmental concerns. Through hands-on training opportunities, the project aimed to build skills and competencies, address unemployment questions, and encourage creativity among young people while addressing sustainability issues like food production and eco-friendly living.

Kamala Priya highlighted the diversity of approaches taken by participating organizations. “Each partner offered unique knowledge, experiences, and perspectives. Some focused on entrepreneurship ideas, while others contributed expertise in small-scale eco-village development or self-sustainability programs.”

The impact of the project can be seen in the heartfelt stories of those participants who have been touched by it. In one participating organization, rescued food drives not only reduced waste but also became a means of feeding underserved communities. In another, youth camps blended non-formal education with practical skills, teaching participants to design small-scale sustainability projects they can implement at home.

This diversity was made possible by the collaboration of experienced project coordinators across Europe, including György (Hungary), Haripriti Devi Dasi (Ukraine), Bojana (Slovenia), Révati (France), Kamala Priya Devi Dasi (Sweden), Nikunja Biharini Devi Dasi (Germany), Hayagriva Das (Italy), and Prema-rasarnava Das (Spain).

The partner organizations involved in the initiative brought their expertise and resources to the table, strengthening its impact:

• ARGM (France)
• Charitable Foundation “Dobro” of Dnepropetrovsk Region (Ukraine)
• Duhovno Društvo za Dušo (Slovenia)
• Eco Valley Foundation [Öko-völgy Alapítvány] (Hungary)
• Food for Life A.P.S. (Italy)
• ISKCON Abentheuer Goloka-dhama-Verein e.V. (Germany)
• ISKCON Almvik (Sweden)
• The Banyan Tree (Spain)

Coordinating an effort across multiple countries was challenging. Language barriers, logistical hurdles, and cultural differences required adaptability and open communication. “Collaboration taught us to appreciate the strengths of each partner,” Kamala Priya shared. “By aligning our goals and learning from each other’s expertise, we overcame obstacles and created something worth sharing.”

Central to the project’s result is the Online Educational Platform. Designed as a repository of knowledge and inspiration, the platform documents the participating organizations’ efforts and houses blogs, articles, and quizzes on different topics such as organic gardening, sustainable forestry, fine woodwork, beekeeping, and much more. The platform is not only a resource but also a call to action for communities to engage in meaningful work.

Furthermore, the group section of the educational platform offers an interactive area to connect to the project. By becoming a member, one can directly communicate with not only previous participants of the project but also its organizers and other like-minded people. Everyone can post and share relevant topics in the group as well, whether it be for questions, sharing their personal experiences or knowledge in a particular field, and so on.

The close of the Rural Entrepreneurship for You(th) project marks the beginning of new opportunities. Participating organizations will continue to collaborate  — current efforts include expanding rescued food initiatives, scaling eco-village projects, and hosting regular youth exchanges to keep the spirit of collaboration alive.

“There’s so much potential for what we can do next,” Kamala Priya said. “The network of various organizations ensures that our work doesn’t end here. It’s a tool for continuity and innovation.”

The Rural Entrepreneurship for You(th) initiative represents a model for international collaboration, demonstrating how diverse communities can come together to address shared challenges. By empowering youth and fostering sustainability, these projects not only serve local communities but also inspire a global audience.

The Online Educational Platform serves as a great starting point for anyone interested in learning more about the project, joining, or contributing. “We invite everyone to explore the platform, join its group section, learn from the various topics of the project, and in this way become part of this collaborative effort,” Kamala Priya emphasized.

Additionally, readers are invited to visit the project’s Facebook and Instagram pages.