Project description
A greener, smarter, and more inclusive rural areas
In the heart of rural Europe, communities grapple with the urgent need for sustainability while preserving their unique way of life. These regions face a pressing dilemma: how to embrace innovation and social progress without losing their rural identity and heritage. With this in mind, the EU-funded RURACTIVE project will offer tailored, community-driven solutions to this critical challenge. Spanning 12 pilot areas across 7 EU Member States, 2 Associated Countries, and Switzerland, the project is a bold initiative aiming to empower rural communities to lead the way towards a more sustainable future. It equips these communities with knowledge, skills, and resources, promoting inclusive decision-making to ensure even the most vulnerable voices are heard.
Objective
RURACTIVE aims to foster a just and sustainable transition of rural areas by developing smart, community-led, tailor-made, place-based and inclusive solutions within local Multi-Actor Rural Innovation Ecosystems (RIEs) in 12 pilot area (Dynamos - Ds) in 7 EU, 2 Associated Countries and Switzerland. RURACTIVE will unlock the innovation potential of rural communities by addressing six integrated Rural Development Drivers (RDDs) – namely multimodal mobility, energy transition, agri-food and agroecology, culture and cultural innovation, health and wellbeing, nature-based and cultural tourism – and transversally integrating climate change mitigation and adaption, biodiversity and social justice and inclusion.
RURACTIVE will empower rural communities to act for societal change, by making available existing knowledge around smart solutions that integrate various forms of innovation (digital and technological, technical, organizational and social, business models and financial) and enhancing rural communities' capacities and skills, by providing training, capacity building, and knowledge transfer. Implementing a methodology for RIEs establishment in 12 Ds, RURACTIVE will work towards inclusive decision-making processes for all, including vulnerable groups and people at risk of exclusion, providing RIEs with instruments and capacities to collaboratively co-develop, co-implement and co-monitor smart and community-led solutions. Also, by offering an open set of data-driven tools (Decision Support Tool, Adaptive Monitoring tool), a digital infrastructure (RURACTIVE Digital Hub), and defining a programme for external Innovators, RURACTIVE will provide a fertile ground for change in rural areas. Results will be out-scaled through knowledge exchanges and networking at EU level (open contest for Additional Ds and RURACTIVE Forum), the deployment of training and capacity building activities for further rural communities and the creation of open e-learning courses and MOOC.
Fields of science
- social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiespublic policies
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiodiversity conservation
- social sciencessocial geographyurban studies
- social sciencessocial geographytransportsustainable transport
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
40126 Bologna
Italy
See on map
Participants (26)
56126 Pisa
See on map
47151 Boecillo
See on map
66386 St Ingbert
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
10000 Zagreb
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1040 Bruxelles / Brussel
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
1030 Wien
See on map
90014 Oulu
See on map
4 Dublin
See on map
D02 XE80 LOWER DUBLIN
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
D02 XE80 DUBLIN
See on map
3013 AK Rotterdam
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
751 05 Uppsala
See on map
2401 Lefkosia
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
88000 Uzhgorod
See on map
8010 Graz
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
65121 Pescara
See on map
62020 Ripe San Ginesio
See on map
49071 Zamora
See on map
29001 Malaga
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
14820 Villafranca De Cordoba
See on map
22000 Split
See on map
23000 Zadar
See on map
621 50 Visby
See on map
440 07 ZAGORI
See on map
08005 Barcelona
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
7000 Eisenstadt
See on map
Partners (3)
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
3012 Bern
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
DD2 5DA Dundee
See on map
Partner organisations contribute to the implementation of the action, but do not sign the Grant Agreement.
PH13 9AE Coupar Angus
See on map
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.