Rural Europe on the move English_E_version_all | Page 150

CHAPTER 12
“I have the passion,
a map in my head and
the heart to carry on."
Forum Synergies' Scholarships
Sharing experiences of sustainable rural development and
getting the young generations involved - that is the aim of the FS
Passion, scholarships
and gaining voice
“I have the passion, a map in my
head and the heart to carry on,”
said one of the participants of the
youth workshop before leaving: she
returned home with new inspiration
and fresh motivation to continue rural
scholarship programmes. We invite young scholars to travel abroad
and to spend some weeks with a host of their choice, offering a
tangible experience in sustainable local and rural development.
After a call for proposals and a selection based on interviews,
scholars and hosts can receive financial and logistical support. In
exchange, they commit to share their experience and the lessons
learned within the network and with partner organisations. In 2019,
reports from the scholarships will be presented at the European
Rural Parliament.
development work. I believe the youth
theme will also continue and grow
within Forum Synergies, with the new
scholarship programme. The Latvian Tymur Pliushch from Ukraine was on stage, speaking with passion
Rural Forum and Forum Synergies on stage to report back from one of about his experience, his voice has
now cooperate through a network of our workshops. On the first evening, fundamentally changed. Like in the
hosts from all across Europe, ready at the round of getting to know movie ‘The King’s Speech,’ he made his
to receive and guide young people each other, he had tried to present passionate wrap-up without a single
into rural sustainability projects and himself. He was stuttering so heavily stutter. We could literally hear his
gatherings. I will never forget when that we could hardly understand hesitations fall off. He spoke with new
at the end of the Dronten gathering, what he was trying to say. But now energy. That touched us deeply!
9a. 9b. Youth Gathering – Dronten 2015
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