Focus on young people: communities rely on attractive living

Focus on young people: communities rely on attractive living

In a remarkable attempt to keep young people in rural communities, some regions are increasingly relying on innovative strategies. A current phenomenon shows that many young adults find life in the country less attractive, especially in comparison to the city. This was caused by a change in the social structure, where quality of life and leisure activities play an important role. In addition, housing costs in rural areas have risen sharply in recent years, which makes the decision to move to the city.

Mayor Ernst Kreuzinger from Sierndorf explains that improving the infrastructure is an essential part of the efforts to offer young people a new home. It emphasizes that healthy growth in the communities can only be achieved if there is enough living space available. "To further expand a corresponding infrastructure to enable healthy growth for the community is an essential future building block," says Kreuzinger.

promotion of affordable living

A central solution is to create affordable living space for the younger generation. In this context, support from local authorities plays a crucial role. A good example is the cooperation between the municipal administration Enzersfeld with the Wohnbaugesellschaft WET, which aims at an initiative called "Jung's living". This initiative is intended to enable young people and families to live in attractive and affordable living conditions, which is particularly important today because rental prices are increasing.

Mayor Gerald Glaser has announced that from December 1, 2024, rents in the newly created objects should be reduced by 50 euros. "This measure will apply for the next 13 months and is an essential step to relieve young tenants," he said. This decision makes it easier for many young people to remain in the community and to pursue their professional and private goals without being crushed by high rental costs.

The realization that emigration is a challenge leads to a rethink in the affected communities. Through strategic measures and community efforts, these regions will try to stabilize their youth share and thus maintain their cultural and economic vitality. Developments in these rural municipalities are an exciting example of how locally adapted strategies can be used against the challenges of urban migration.

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