Forum to Tackle Challenges Facing Rural Youth
Santa Coloma de Farners will host a regional forum titled 'Arrelats al Futur: Joventut, Reptes i Oportunitats al Món Rural' on Saturday 24 October 2026, from 10:00 to 13:00 at the Joan Vinyoli Library. Organised by Junts per la Selva and Junts per Santa Coloma de Farners, the event aims to spotlight the challenges and opportunities young people face in building their futures in rural areas. The discussion will focus on access to housing, transport links, depopulation, and long-term prospects. Young people from across the comarca will participate alongside political figures and experts.
Speakers Include Regional and National Figures
The opening will feature Carme Salamaña, Junts candidate for Santa Coloma de Farners, followed by Roger Puigdevall, mayor of Brunyola and youth councillor at the Selva County Council, who will speak on youth roles in rural life. Congressional deputy Marta Madrenas will address housing and depopulation, while Catalan MP Judith Toronjo will discuss infrastructure and communications. Former Catalan Parliament president Laura Borràs will speak on defending the Catalan language in the context of immigration. Martí Pujals, mayor of Tossa de Mar and president of the Selva County Council, will analyse emerging opportunities and future challenges for the region.
The event will give young people a central voice in shaping political debate about rural development.
Young Leaders to Moderate and Participate
The session will be moderated by two members of the Joventuts Nacionals de Catalunya (JNC): Mariona Serra Codina, a veterinary and animal science student at the University of Lleida, and Blau Janés Aldavert, studying early childhood education at the same university. At 12:30, a participatory debate will feature young locals including Marina Brugué, a veterinary student; Alexandra Corcoll, social educator and president of Joves de Brunyola; Ot Manresa, communications director at Tordera Town Hall; Mamen Galiana, journalist at TV La Selva; and Guillem Pastells, nursing student and president of the Colomenc Giants and Grallers group. Jordi Camps, regional president of Junts a la Selva, will close the event at 13:00.
Venue and Access Information
The Joan Vinyoli Library, located in the historic centre of Santa Coloma de Farners, is a municipal facility integrated into a protected building and expanded in 2008 to 1,063 square metres. It hosts a range of cultural and civic events and forms part of Catalonia’s Public Reading System, managed by the town council with support from the regional government and Girona Provincial Council via SCF Cultura i Festes.
More Barcelona coverage on Barna.News: Second GiraFeina Job Fair to Connect Santa Coloma Youth with Employers.
Reported by gironanoticies.com, portal.selva.cat, Blaupixel.com, SCF Cultura i Festes, Departament d'Edicions del Parlament de Catalunya.
