Rural youth, environmental management, and food sovereignty: a project proposal in El Guayabal from the Agrarian University of Havana

Abstract

The research assessed the role of active participation of rural youth from the El Guayabal community in environmental management and food sovereignty, based on the proposal of a research project from the Agrarian University of Havana. The study was framed within the socio-critical paradigm, with a qualitative approach and descriptive-explanatory scope, supported by documentary analysis of scientific sources, national and international regulations, and components of the RELEVO-VERDE project. The findings revealed that, although young people possess knowledge, motivations, and ties to agrarian culture, they face institutional and cultural barriers that limit their influence in decision-making spaces and local productive systems. The RELEVO-VERDE project stands as a participatory, multi-actor response that articulates Participatory Action Research, agroecological technologies, digital tools, and a gender and territorial approach, with the purpose of strengthening technical and organizational capacities, promoting sustainable enterprises, and influencing local public policies. It was concluded that the sustainability of the proposal requires a systemic articulation between university, government, and community, where participating higher education institutions are called upon to assume a catalyzing role in endogenous development, generating relevant knowledge and fostering youth rootedness. Future lines of work are envisioned, including the longitudinal monitoring of youth trajectories and the integration of digital technologies for participatory monitoring.