ACTYouth – Youth in action: young people as agents of change in rural communities

Date/Period: 1st semester 2025-2026

Deadline for registration: 30 of October
https://forms.gle/MgJzUqD7pbqdEEz87

Participants must attend the full session and contribute to collaborative tasks.

 

1st week – September 29 to October 3 (online)

2nd week – October 6 to 10 (online)

3rd week – October 13 to 17 (face-to-face) 

4th week – October 27 to 31 (online)

 

Daily Schedule : (Brussels time) (Online – synchronous/asyncronous or Onsite)

Week	Online Synchronous & Face-to-face hours	Asynchronous & Autonomous Hours	Total Hours
Weeks 1 & 2 – Online (moderate)	10h	24h	34h
Week 3 – Face-to-Face (intensive)	27h	3h	30h
Week 4 – Online (reflective)	6h	20h	26h
TOTAL	43h	47h	90h

 

1. Objectives of the Call

• Empower youth to become active agents of change in rural communities.
• Enable students to identify local challenges, voice their concerns, and co-design solutions.
• Foster youth-centered, inclusive development by connecting students, universities, and local stakeholders.
• Promote social inclusion, participatory democracy, and sustainable innovation.

2. Course Shourt Description

ACTYouth – Youth in Action: Young People as Agents of Change in Rural Communities is a 4-week Applied Blended Challenge (ABC) program combining online and face-to-face learning. Students will work in international teams to tackle real-world problems faced by rural youth, culminating in the design and presentation of community-based project proposals.

3. Target Group

Especially suited for students passionate about youth engagement, community development, and social innovation, regardless of academic background.

4. Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Identify and critically analyze challenges in rural youth contexts.
• Collaborate with peers and local stakeholders.
• Co-design impactful, community-based projects.
• Develop key transversal skills:
  • Critical thinking & problem-solving
  • Communication & advocacy
  • Creativity & innovation
  • Project planning & leadership
  • Intercultural awareness & teamwork
• Reflect on their development as change-makers.

5. Structure & Methodology

Format: Blended (online + in-person in Santarém, Portugal)

Duration: 4 weeks (90 hours total; 3 ECTS)

• Weeks 1–2: Online sessions and tasks
• Week 3: Face-to-face training and fieldwork
• Week 4: Online closing sessions and reflection

6. Certification

A certificate of attendance will be issued by the course organizers upon successful participation. The certificate will list:

• Course title
• Learning outcomes
• Developed competences
• Duration (90h/3ECTSsynchronous online/onsite)

7. Contact & Coordination

For any questions or support related to the course, please contact:

Santarém Polytechnic University

Perpétua Santos Silva – perpetua.silva@ese.ipsantarem.pt  

Tatiana Ferreira – tatiana. ferreira@ese.ipsantarem.pt