Pastoral School for Young Shepherds

Pastoral School for Young Shepherds - Training and co-design of innovative ideas

A recent study promoted by the Association Riabitare L'Italia in collaboration with the Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA) and other partners, investigated young people's needs and motivations for staying in rural and mountainous areas.  
The study shows that the majority (69%) of young people in rural areas are willing to stay because of a better quality of life and human relationships. Furthermore, the study identified a growing interest in shepherding and agriculture, not only as a source of income but as a lifestyle choice (agroecological perspective). However, shepherding, a job which is embedded in the very cultural identity of marginal rural areas, is at risk.
In response to these trends and to help combat rural depopulation, more needs to be done to further encourage local rural projects to focus on young people. More investment into capacity building, training, and assistance in line with the existing needs of the young people is required.
The project leaders thought it particularly important to provide technical training that is aligned to local opportunities while also building on the existing skills, knowledge and experiences of young people. In addition, an improved provision of support for the creation and operation of (micro)enterprises was deemed crucial.  
In this context the idea was born to create a 'School for Young Shepherds', offering specific training and programmes of participatory planning that would focus on extensive livestock farming in mountain areas and would be targeted at young people. Three areas in northern Italy were selected: Pavia, Cuneo, Brescia.

The project empowered 15 participants with skills to fulfill their projects supporting generational renewal. Although women are underrepresented in the profession, 60% of the project students were women.
Through hands-on involvement, all the participants attained skills in areas such as rational grazing, wild animal management, animal welfare, biodiversity conservation, meat processing, dairy production, business development, and networking. Two students were offered an internship in partner farms.
In terms of qualitative benefits, the project successfully involved nearly 50 stakeholders in training, mentoring and networking activities all focusing on supporting the participants and their ambitions. The project represented an innovative and new approach of delivering training through peer education and by empowering local actors. For example, during the 80 hours of in-person training, farmers served as teachers explaining and illustrating the practices of their profession.  
The project brought together professionals, researchers, breeders, students, representatives of associations, foundations, and institutional actors, allowing an incredibly valuable exchange of experiences and expertise which created new and lasting connections.
Combining the development of youth entrepreneurship with the active involvement of local communities in the process of mentoring, training and support provision based on networking is considered an innovative method which was previously unavailable.
The proposed model can be replicated in different geographical areas and sectors. Following the project, CREA and Riabitare l'Italia are planning a second edition of the School in Sicily, southern Italy.

Photos and Video by © CREA - Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Association Riabitare L'Italia