Members' Blog

Earlier this year, two Wales YFC members Tomos and Molly travelled to Budapest for the Rural Youth Europe Spring Seminar.

We caught up with Tomos Evans from Fishguard YFC in Pembrokeshire to hear about his experience…

“This was the first time I travelled with YFC, and I had no idea what to expect.  The study session undoubtedly exceeded my expectations.  I learned a lot about how media literacy can encourage rural young people to engage with democracy at all levels.  As someone from a rural area who works in the media, the topic was of great interest to me and the study session itself was fun and engaging, including the opportunity to contribute to a podcast.  But what I valued most was the opportunity to meet incredible young people from countries across Europe.  From Armenia to Austria, Germany to Georgia, it was great to get to know these inspirational individuals and hear their perspectives on the key issues facing rural young people today.  We also had the opportunity to showcase Welsh produce at the international evening, where the Caerphilly cheese went down a treat!  I would recommend a Rural Youth Europe study session to anyone – the opportunity to learn more about yourself by broadening your horizons and learn more about the issues facing the wider world.”

Molly Hooper from Presteigne in Radnor added:

“I really enjoyed the experience of attending the RYE spring seminar this year and took a huge amount away from the week. It was both engaging and thought-provoking and gave me a deeper understanding of how media literacy impacts rural communities across Europe, particularly when it comes to ensuring young people’s voices are heard.

Beyond the sessions themselves, one of the most valuable parts was meeting and learning from such a diverse group of people. It really highlighted the power of coming together, sharing perspectives, and working collectively towards positive change. It was a great opportunity to step outside my usual environment, build connections, and gain insights that I’ll carry forward.

I would highly recommend the experience to anyone given the opportunity!”