• The eighth edition of the LEADER Prácticum Odisseu project begins, which unites rural companies and students to carry out paid internships.
• The ultimate goal is the return and settlement of young people in these municipalities.

Many young people from rural areas move to cities to pursue their university education and, upon completion, wish to return to their hometowns. Sometimes, the lack of services or housing can be an impediment, but in other cases, they simply need a job opportunity to once again see their rural origins as a real option for establishing their lives.

The Practicum Odisseu initiative returns for its eighth edition with the aim of promoting the employment of young people and encouraging them to return to their rural areas of origin.

This program is located in Catalonia, and its main objective is to encourage paid internships for young people in companies located in rural areas . To this end, it targets two stakeholders:

1. Companies and institutions located in rural municipalities : that are able to procure a paid internship position for students with a university profile.
2. University students : undergraduate students who have passed at least half of their official credits; or students pursuing an official master's degree. Internships have a minimum duration of 300 hours and take place during the current academic year and, in any case, before September 15. The salary is at least 7 euros per hour , of which 60% is covered by the program.

Goals

Odisseu Practicum is Odisseu 's main line of action , a project that expands its lines of action beyond the workplace to carry out cross-cutting actions on training, business and administrative agents regarding the issue of youth migration from rural areas and in training centers.

Its fundamental objectives are:

• Promote and facilitate the return of young talent to their territories
• Building a life project
• Facilitate labor and social integration, connecting young people with the business community

In addition, apart from promoting paid internships, its actions extend to:

• Information and awareness-raising activities
• Training activities for young people , companies or educational centers, among other agents
• Networking activities
• Regional consultation tables, generating joint strategies
• Retorna virtual platform : a platform that acts as a database to promote and make visible young people who want to work in rural areas.

Components

The Odisseu Practicum is a project initiated by the Rural World Foundation and the Association of Rural Initiatives of Catalonia , in collaboration with the LEADER Local Action Groups of Catalonia and youth professional networks. It is promoted by the General Directorate of Rural Development of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food ( DARP ) and the General Directorate of Youth. of the Department of Social Affairs and Families of the Generalitat of Catalonia.