With 57 being the average age of a farmer in the EU, and alarmingly few young people attracted to farming - even fewer of them young women - the European Commission’s directorate-general for agriculture and rural development (DG AGRI) is investing in reversing this reality through generational renewal. Improving the quality of life in rural areas and assisting young farmers to launch or expand their activities are at the heart of DG AGRI’s efforts, which recognise that Europe’s food security, social cohesion and even its historic character will disappear without the presence and commitment of young people. During the recent European Youth Week kick-off event in Brussels, DG AGRI held a breakout session for young farmers, rural activists and twentysomethings interested in a life on the land. The purpose of the session was to learn more about these young people’s aspirations, concerns and perspectives, to better tailor policy in favour of generational renewal. Our 43rd episode of Food for Europe travels to Ireland and Spain to meet two young people living in rural areas, and to follow them to Brussels as they contribute to the European Youth Week event. We hear also from DG AGRI Haude Blanc, who hails herself from a tiny village in southern France, about the challenges and opportunities of generational renewal in the countryside.