Developing Rural Communities Through Education: Expert Discussion Held at Uzhhorod National University within the Rural Skills Project

A panel discussion was held at Uzhhorod National University as part of the international Erasmus+ project Rural Skills, bringing together representatives of education, public authorities, business, and civil society to address a common question: what skills are needed for the future development of rural communities.

The event became part of the project’s research phase and an important step toward shaping modern educational solutions tailored to the real needs of the region.

Education and the Labour Market: An Honest Conversation

The discussion at UzhNU went beyond formal speeches, as participants openly addressed a key issue currently hindering the development of rural areas, the gap between education and the real labour market.

Employers are looking for professionals who are ready to start working immediately, while graduates often have sufficient theoretical knowledge but lack practical skills.

As one participant representing the employment sector noted, “Education provides a foundation, but businesses expect readiness to work here and now. Practical experience is the key factor for employment.”

Skills Shortage as an Underestimated Challenge

Special attention was given to the shortage of skilled workers. This concerns not only new professions, but also essential ones such as electricians, plumbers, mechanics, and vocational trainers.

Participants emphasized that these professions form the backbone of the local economy, yet their popularity among young people is declining.

As highlighted by a representative of vocational education, “We are facing a paradox where critically important professions are losing prestige, even though demand for them is only increasing.”

What Skills Communities Need Today

At the centre of the discussion was the question of skills without which the development of rural areas is no longer possible.

First and foremost, this includes digital literacy, which is becoming a new basic competence.

“Even basic use of digital tools is still a challenge for part of the population, yet it opens access to new opportunities,” participants noted.

At the same time, there is growing demand for entrepreneurial thinking, the ability to launch initiatives, manage finances, and plan development.

“People often do not lack ideas, they lack a systematic approach to business and an understanding of how to develop it,” was emphasized during the discussion.

Marketing and communication skills are equally important.

“Many local businesses have strong products but lack the ability to present and promote them effectively,” experts stressed.

Tourism as an Opportunity for the Region

Special attention was also paid to tourism, which has significant potential for the Zakarpattia region.

Participants noted that the issue is not the lack of resources, but rather the approaches to using them.

“Today, it is not enough to simply offer a service, it is important to create a complete experience for the visitor,” representatives of the sector pointed out.

The importance of digital presence and customer engagement was also highlighted.

Rural Areas: Potential and Barriers

Participants emphasized that rural communities have significant, yet often underestimated potential.

Local tourism, agribusiness, and family enterprises can become drivers of regional development.

At the same time, systemic barriers remain, including limited access to education, underdeveloped infrastructure, low levels of digital skills, and youth outmigration.

“If opportunities are not created locally, young people will continue to leave, and communities will lose their development potential,” participants stressed.

Education Must Evolve Alongside the Market

One of the key conclusions of the discussion was that education must transform in close cooperation with business.

This includes a shift toward practice-oriented learning through real cases, internships, and active involvement of employers in the educational process.

“It is necessary to move from learning before work to learning through work,” participants noted.

Dialogue That Shapes Solutions

The event brought together representatives of public authorities, educational institutions, business, and civil society, including Mariana Marusynets, Liubov Kohuch, Tetiana Durytska, Valentyna Terpai, Oleksandra Hotovska, Nataliia Palosh, Serhii Tymko, Oleksandr Koval, Stepan Kohutka, Olesia Loiko, Dmytro Lendel, Kateryna Putrashyk, as well as UzhNU representatives Myroslava Lendel, Antonina Bulyna, Yevheniia Hoiovych, Oksana Sviezhentseva, and Nadiia Kichera.

The discussion once again confirmed that the future of rural communities depends primarily on people, their knowledge, skills, and ability to adapt to change.

This is why updating educational approaches and building a system that prepares professionals ready to act is a key priority today.

The results of the discussion will serve as a foundation for further work within the Rural Skills project and will contribute to the development of modern educational solutions for rural areas.

Anastasiya Lendel

Information and Publishing Centre

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