Rural Youth Ideas festival IN RECOGNITION of its work inspiring and developing the next generation of rural leaders, the Rural Youth Project has been awarded runner-up in the ‘Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project’ category at this year’s Rural Business Awards. The awards ceremony, which was held virtually, brought together a broad range of businesses, social enterprises and charities operating across the UK to celebrate their successes and the important contribution they make to the nation’s rural economy. Co-founder and director of the Rural Youth Project, Rebecca Dawes, said that the team was thrilled to be recognised: “This year, there were a record number of entries and we were aware that it was a very competitive process, so we were initially thrilled to be shortlisted alongside the other fantastic organisations in our category. To be awarded runner-up at the Rural Business Awards was not only a fantastic achievement for the team and a massive boost to the continuation of our vision, but a true credit to the inspiring young people we have had the pleasure of engaging with over the past three years.”