Event report

The workshop discussed the importance of digitalisation in rural and youth life. During the workshop discussions, the following points emerged: 1. Not all young people are digital, and young people also need digital pupils and an easy threshold to ask for help with digital issues. Media literacy should also be developed, as there is plenty of disinformation and fake news. The EU should definitely offer more opportunities for this. 2. When we talk about a vibrant countryside for young people, mobility opportunities and connections are vital in order to live a good life. In particular, opportunities for leisure and meeting friends are important and new types of rural mobility services can provide solutions. (In the rural areas of the future, there is a need for carpooling services and perhaps even robotic cars and buses.) There is also a need for more and more frequent delivery points for online shopping in rural areas. 3. The digitalisation of social and health care services (especially mental health services and ordinary health services) needs to be improved. It has great potential and young people are also open to digital access where possible. However, access to services needs to be improved and made more visible. 4. Well-functioning network connections are extremely important for a vibrant countryside. There is an absolute need for more support from municipalities, the state and the EU to build proper connectivity everywhere. There is a great inequality in economic terms between regions and also between families, as not everyone can afford to build high-speed broadband. 5. There is a difference between regions and also between schools in terms of digital equipment and tools offered to young people. This should be made more equal and equipping everyone with the necessary equipment for schooling. 6. The job opportunities of the future were also considered: teleworking and learning opportunities were seen as an attractive factor and definitely an issue that needs to be promoted in the workplace.