Based on a two-year European research project on policies and young people in rural development, this edited volume examines these issues and compares young people's experiences of rural life in the UK, Ireland, Finland, France, Germany, Austria and Portugal. It reviews relevant policies and highlights not only the pressures on young people in rural areas but also what might be done to address these issues.

Contents: Introduction, Birgit Jentsch and Mark Shucksmith; Conceptual framework and literature review, Mark Shucksmith; The changing rural context, Toivo Miulu, Alana Gilbert, Euan Phimister and Mark Shucksmith; Methodology, Birgit Jentsch; The attractiveness of rural areas for young people, Elizabeth Auclair and Didier Vanoni; The impact of programmes under the European employment guidelines on young people in rural areas, Gerhard Dietz and Gerhard Christe; Rural youth in local community development: lessons through partnership, Brian McGrath; Rural development programmes and their impact on youth integration, Thomas Dax, Ingrid Machold and Christine Meisinger; Social networks, labour market and policy impact in Santa Marta de Penaguiao, Chris Gerry, Patricia António, Carlos Marques, Jose Portela and Vasco Rebelo; Experience of rural youth in the 'Risk Society': transitions from education to the labour market, Birgit Jentsch; Conclusion, Birgit Jentsch and Mark Shucksmith; Bibliography; Appendices; Index.