About the event
Are you passionate about creating a more sustainable future for your rural community? Would you like to gain practical skills to help establish or support a local energy community?
Rural Youth Europe is looking for 25 motivated young people from across Europe to participate in the Capacity-Building Seminar on Energy Communities, taking place from 1–4 November 2026 in Bilbao, Spain.
This seminar is organised within the Powering Change – Empowering Rural Youth for Energy Communities project, which supports rural young people in becoming active contributors to Europe’s energy transition by developing the knowledge, skills, and partnerships needed to build community-led energy initiatives.
About the Seminar
Over the three days, participants will learn alongside experienced practitioners and experts to explore the practical aspects of developing energy communities in rural areas. Through interactive workshops, peer learning, and collaborative activities, participants will strengthen their capacity to become local leaders of the energy transition.
The seminar will cover topics including:
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Understanding how energy communities are established and governed
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Community engagement and mobilising local stakeholders
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Identifying funding opportunities and financing mechanisms
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Mapping potential partnerships with local authorities, cooperatives, and energy experts
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Sharing experiences and good practices from across Europe
By the end of the seminar, participants will have practical tools, new connections, and increased confidence to initiate or support community energy projects in their own rural communities. To this extent, financial aid could be granted to support specific follow-up activities at local level, subjected to prior agreement with RYE and available funds.
Who can apply?
We are looking for participants who are:
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Active members of a Rural Youth Europe member organisations or partner organisations;
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Rural youth representatives, Local Action Groups (LAGs) representatives, or young farmers;
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Familiar with or interested in energy communities, renewable energies, sustainability; rural development. No previous technical expertise in renewable energy is required; however, it is advisable to already have some knowledge of energy communities.
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Motivated to follow-up within their local communities and share the knowledge with others;
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Able to actively participate throughout the entire seminar in English.
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Nationals or residents from all European countries.
Age: participants should be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of the seminar.
Nationality: participants who are nationals or residents from all European countries are eligible.
Practical Information
Dates: 1-4 November 2026 (including travel dates)
Location: Bilbao, Spain
Participants: Approximately 25 rural youth representatives and young farmers from across Europe.
Program: Participants are expected to arrive by the 1/11 for the welcome dinner. Activities will take place from the 2/11 morning to the 4/11 morning included. After lunch on 4/11 participants can make their travel arrangements back.
Accommodation and meals: Shared accommodation and all meals will be covered by the organisers from the dinner on the 1/11 to the lunch on the 4/11.
Travel reimbursement: Travel to and from Bilbao will be provided in accordance with the project’s travel guidelines. Possible local transportation will be covered by the organisers.Further practical information will be shared with selected participants.
How to Apply
Complete the application form by 31 August 2026. Please note that participation is by selection only.
All selected participants will receive a confirmation email following the selection process. We kindly ask that you do not make any travel or other arrangements until your participation has been confirmed.
