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Rural Youth Project shortlisted for top UK rural award

30 November 2020

Rural Youth Project has been shortlisted for the Rural Business Awards, the UK’s premier awards for rural businesses programme, shortlisted in Best Rural Social Enterprise, Charity or Community Project at the 2020/21 Rural Business Awards, held in partnership with Amazon.

Founded in early 2018, the Rural Youth Project is an international grassroots movement for positive change to empower young people (18 to 28 years of age) to develop their leadership, enterprise & activism skills, to play an integral part in making rural places attractive and viable for young people to build their lives and their futures there.

Co-Founder and Director of the project, Rebecca Dawes, said: “After what has been a difficult year for all, it’s been a real morale boost for the Rural Youth Project community to know that we are in the running for this prestigious award.

“Young people are the thread binding together rural communities. Being shortlisted for the Rural Business Awards is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the challenges and opportunities that young people face living rurally, and to acknowledge their vital contribution to our rural economies, communities and policies.”

The Rural Business Awards 2020/21, in partnership with Amazon, will mark the Awards’ sixth year of celebrating the success of businesses across the UK’s rural economy.

Director and Co-Founder of The Rural Business Awards, Jemma Clifford, said: “This year has been an unprecedented challenge for businesses across the country but we have still had a fantastic amount of entries from rural businesses, showing the true determination of people working in the rural economy. Here at the Rural Business Awards we remain committed to our vision of showcasing the fantastic work of rural businesses and believe that it has never been more important than now. On behalf of the RBA team, we want to say well done to the Rural Youth Project, and all the shortlisted businesses, and wish them luck ahead of the national final.”

The Rural Business Awards is the brainchild of Leicestershire businesswomen Anna Price and Jemma Clifford, who wanted to showcase the wealth of entrepreneurial talent in rural areas of Britain.

The Awards are organised by rural business for rural business, with winners in the 13 categories – ranging from Best Rural Start-up and Best Rural Diversification Project; through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and Best Rural Innovation – decided by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.

The Rural Business Awards will be hosting an online National Final on Thursday 25th February 2021.

To learn more about the Rural Business Awards visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk