National Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs
"Fun, Learning and Achievement"
Document title
For immediate release
PR-2013-072
UK Young Farmers host European seminar
to support rural entrepreneurs
Members of the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) are hosting a European seminar from 12-19
October in Worcestershire to help tackle youth unemployment and promote innovation and entrepreneurship among rural
young people.
NFYFC was awarded the funding for the seminar by the EU’s Youth in Action programme, managed in the UK by the
British Council.
A total of 40 delegates from European destinations, including Serbia and Norway, will attend The Rural Youth Europe
(RYE) Autumn Seminar at the Malvern Outdoor Elements Centre in Worcestershire to be taught skills on how to become
rural entrepreneurs.
Recent statistics suggest that 23% of people under 25 are currently unemployed in Europe*. Seminar participants are from
countries that are suffering from significant youth unemployment levels and have limited resources available to them to
develop or diversify existing businesses or employment solutions.
The event is part of RYE’s annual programme of seminars and rallies held across Europe for rural young people and the
UK’s week-long event is the first RYE seminar the country has hosted since 1988. NFYFC was awarded the funding for the
seminar by the EU’s Youth in Action programme, managed in the UK by the British Council.
YFC members have organised the event that includes interactive workshops, study trips and expert presentations to show
how specific rural businesses have used innovative techniques, diversification and social media to start-up and grow.
Guest speakers including entrepreneur Lynsey Sweales from social media company Social B, will pass on their knowledge
and tips to the European delegates throughout the week. NFYFC believes that the experiences and knowledge of these
experts will be hugely beneficial to young people who are hoping to start up businesses or are struggling with
unemployment issues.
Sessions will include:
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How to create effective business plans
What is effective social media?
What does an entrepreneur look like?
Entrepreneurship and diversification
Claire Worden, Vice Chairman of NFYFC and Chairman of the Autumn Seminar, said:
“The Rural Youth Europe Autumn Seminar, which is funded by the EU’s Youth in Action programme, is a unique event,
where young people get together from rural youth organisations from across Europe to share ideas and best practice. As
one of the largest rural youth organisations in Europe, NFYFC is excited about the opportunity to promote what our
members are doing in England and Wales and for us to learn from this intercultural exchange.
“We are looking forward to welcoming so many different nationalities to our country to discuss such an important issue as
rural entrepreneurship. It doesn’t matter where you live in Europe right now – it’s tough out there for young people trying to
get on the career ladder. We hope this event inspires others to be innovative and start up their own businesses.”
nfyfc.org.uk
[email protected]
02476 857200
twitter.com/nfyfc
facebook.com/nfyfc
You can follow all the latest news from the event on the NFYFC Facebook page or by using the hashtag #ryeas2013 on
Twitter.
- ENDS NOTES TO EDITORS
Disclaimer: The content of this press release is the sole responsibility of the publisher and the European Commission is
not liable for any use that may be made of the information.
* Source: ILO
RYE TIMETABLE:
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Monday – How to create a business plan – Natwest / Making Social Media work for your business - Lysnsey
Sweales, Social B
Tuesday – Visits to three rural enterprises: Hopes of Longtown, Christine Hope; White Haywood Farm, Pauline
Goodwin; and Wiggley Wigglers, Heather Gorringe.
Wednesday – Group work to solve a business problem from one of the businesses’ listed above. Participants to
present their ideas back to the businesses.
Thursday – Local entrepreneur presentation and visit.
Friday – Participants create their business plans.
About Youth in Action
Youth in Action enables young people to:
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learn skills which will help them to get a job
explore other societies and cultures in a safe and supported environment
develop international friendships based on learning and collaborating together
learn more about the countries of Europe and its neighbourhood
learn how to contribute to shaping society’s future
participate free of charge in its programmes regardless of their educational, social, and cultural background
put into practice their ideas on how to make their communities safer, more harmonious, and better places to live
Programmes range from group exchanges and community improvement projects run by young people themselves to
individual voluntary service. The Youth in Action programme (2007-2013) is funded by the European Union. The British
Council is the UK's National Agency for the Programme. For more information on Youth in Action go to
http://www.britishcouncil.org/youthinaction
About the British Council
The British Council creates international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and builds trust between
them worldwide. We are a Royal Charter charity, established as the UK’s international organisation for educational
opportunities and cultural relations. Our 7000 staff in over 100 countries work with thousands of professionals and policy
makers and millions of young people every year through English, arts, education and society programmes. We earn over
75% of our annual turnover of nearly £700 million from services which customers pay for, education and development
contracts we bid for and from partnerships. A UK Government grant provides the remaining 25%. We match every £1 of
core public funding with over £3 earned in pursuit of our charitable purpose.
For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org or call our Press Office on +44 (0)20 7389 4268. You can also
keep in touch with the British Council through http://twitter.com/britishcouncil and http://blog.britishcouncil.org/.
Rural Youth Europe (RYEurope) is a European Non- Governmental Organisation for rural youth. Established in 1957, it is
an umbrella for youth organisations working to promote and activate young people in countryside. It provides international
training possibilities and works as an intermediary between national organisations and youth organisations and public
institutions at the European level. Rural Youth Europe is a member-led organisation: democratically constituted, the
organisation is led by young people for young people
nfyfc.org.uk
[email protected]
02476 857200
twitter.com/nfyfc
facebook.com/nfyfc
The National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs (NFYFC) is one of the largest youth organisations in the UK. It heads
a nationwide body of 644 Young Farmers’ Clubs (YFCs) located throughout England and Wales dedicated to supporting
young people in agriculture and the countryside. Their memberships comprise more than 24,000 members aged 10 to 26
and they provide a unique opportunity for members to develop skills, work with the local community, travel abroad, take
part in a varied competitions programme and enjoy a dynamic social life. There are a further 1,100 associate members,
many of whom are involved in the running of the clubs and NFYFC. For more information about NFYFC, visit
www.nfyfc.org.uk.
For further information please contact the NFYFC Communications Officer, Emily Meikle, tel: 02476 857212 or
[email protected]
Out of hours press contact: tel: 077 9615 7123.
nfyfc.org.uk
[email protected]
02476 857200
twitter.com/nfyfc
facebook.com/nfyfc