Project description
Resilient futures for rural and island communities
Rural and island regions across Europe face unique challenges in achieving climate neutrality and energy independence. Their isolation and limited resources make the shift to climate neutrality difficult. In this context, the EU-funded ICONIC project is designing solutions. Specifically, it will test clean energy systems, solar-powered desalination, biogas units, and greener transport in Ireland’s Inis Mór, Italy’s Berchidda, and Spain’s La Graciosa. These solutions will be developed with the help of local communities. Additionally, tools will support smart resource use, while peer-to-peer energy sharing and circular economy practices strengthen local control. The goal is to introduce community-driven solutions that can be used elsewhere to help remote areas thrive.
Objective
ICONIC is a forward-looking project designed to enhance energy independence, climate neutrality, and sustainable development in rural and island communities across Europe. Addressing the distinct socio-economic and environmental challenges of these areas, ICONIC deploys advanced technologies such as renewable energy systems, smart water management (solar-powered desalination, intelligent irrigation), off-grid biogas systems, and sustainable mobility solutions. These innovations are tested through real-world pilot demonstrations in Inis Mór (Ireland), La Graciosa (Spain), and Berchidda (Italy), where the project works closely with local stakeholders to co-design tailored solutions.
ICONIC also fosters social innovation, emphasizing community engagement and multi-actor collaboration to ensure long-term sustainability. By promoting energy communities, circular economy practices, and peer-to-peer energy trading, the project strengthens local governance and empowers citizens to lead the transition to climate-neutrality. Digital platforms, including predictive analytics and digital twins, support integrated management of resources like energy, water, and mobility, enabling data-driven decision-making for both local authorities and residents.
ICONIC's interdisciplinary approach contributes to various EU strategies, advancing the green and digital transitions in rural areas. By promoting social innovation, offering replicable models, and establishing a robust replication strategy, ICONIC ensures its impact extends beyond the pilot regions, providing a blueprint for rural and isolated communities across Europe and beyond. Through training programs, policy recommendations, and capacity-building workshops, ICONIC not only drives technological innovation but also fosters economic resilience and social equity, creating a more sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient future for rural communities.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- social sciences sociology governance
- engineering and technology civil engineering water engineering irrigation
- engineering and technology chemical engineering separation technologies desalination
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.6 - Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
28033 Madrid
Spain
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.