Our project partner University of Zagreb (Faculty of Agriculture) recently hosted an insightful training session titled “MDPI Open Science Insights: Academic Publishing Essentials”. The session aimed to shed light on key aspects of academic publishing and open science.

Participants explored important topics, including:

Open access and the broader movement toward open science

Ensuring research integrity in academic work

Overview of MDPI’s publishing services and support tools

The session encouraged thoughtful discussion and active engagement, making it a valuable opportunity for attendees to deepen their understanding of current publishing practices.

Stay tuned for more training opportunities and updates from the RURALITIES project.

The team in Türkiye, through the collaborative efforts of DIVAGRI and RURALITIES, is driving innovative strategies to establish Simplified Rural Socio-Ecological System (SIMSES) followers across Africa and Europe.

Both projects are proudly represented at the 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference (EAAC 2025) in Nairobi, Kenya by our colleague Martin Okelo, fostering cross-continental collaboration for more resilient agroecological futures.

By combining strengths:

DIVAGRI supports bio-based, circular innovations for diversified rural incomes in Africa.
RURALITIES builds climate-smart knowledge hubs and empowers rural expertise through place-based training.

Through multi-stakeholder engagement, knowledge-sharing hubs, and Living Labs, these projects activate local actors, co-create solutions, and connect diverse regions—accelerating the shift to sustainable, inclusive, and resilient food systems.

This joint participation in EAAC 2025 reflects a shared commitment to regenerating ecosystems, strengthening rural communities, and shaping the next generation of agricultural changemakers.

On March 7, 2025, Evrosad Krško hosted a special event as part of the RURALITIES project, welcoming visitors to explore its cold storage, sorting, and packing center, along with the Tržnica store, which offers fresh fruit, vegetables, and local products.

The event highlighted the Topaz apple variety, known for its resistance, ecological production, and rich flavor. Attendees had the chance to learn about the entire process of storing, sorting, and packaging the fruit, gaining insight into the importance of preserving high-quality and resilient fruit varieties. Guests also enjoyed tastings of Topaz apple-based products, including apple juice, dried fruit, and fruit jam.

A key goal of the event was to raise awareness about local self-sufficiency and sustainable food production across different generations. Students and visitors explored the significance of local food, traditional products, and sustainable agriculture.

Adding to the experience, the Senovo Tourist Association presented traditional bakery delights baked in a wood-fired oven. Visitors sampled fresh pastries and learned about the region’s rich culinary heritage.

The event was a fantastic opportunity for intergenerational connections, education on local food production, and an appreciation of top-quality local delicacies.

On February 26, 2025, the Posavje Regional Development Agency (RRAP-P18), together with the Ministry for a Sustainable Future and the Housing Directorate, organized a consultation on housing supply at its premises. The event brought together key stakeholders from housing policy and regional development to discuss ways to improve housing availability and quality in the region.

The discussion covered two main areas. The first focused on planning and location of housing projects, looking at spatial possibilities, investment priorities, and the role of housing funds. Participants agreed that better planning is essential to provide affordable and high-quality living conditions for residents.

The second part of the consultation gathered input from local communities about their specific housing needs and challenges. These insights will help shape the National Housing Program, ensuring future policies reflect real needs.

The event ended on a positive note, with a shared understanding that sustainable housing development is key to the future of Posavje.
Through networking and distributing informational leaflets, we introduced RURALITIES’ mission to enhance resilience, sustainability, and economic growth in rural communities.

The 8th Agri-Expo Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, provided an excellent platform for MarinBio to engage with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector. MarinBio’s team proudly represented RURALITIES at the event, introducing its mission and initiatives to enhance rural resilience, sustainability, and economic growth.

Throughout the two-day expo, the team actively connected with agricultural professionals, researchers, and policymakers, including Kenyan State officials. By distributing informational leaflets and participating in discussions, MariBio within RURALITIES, highlighted its commitment to supporting rural communities through innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions.

The event served as a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, establish partnerships, and explore potential collaborations for strengthening rural economies in Africa.

Looking Ahead
The engagement at Agri-Expo Africa 2025 marks an important step in expanding RURALITIES’ impact within the region. The team looks forward to continuing these conversations and fostering meaningful partnerships that drive sustainable development in rural areas.

MarinBio team proudly represented RURALITIES at the 8th Agri-Expo Africa in Nairobi, Kenya on February 19th-20th. The team engaged with key stakeholders, including Kenyan State officials, sharing insights on sustainable rural development and innovation.

Through networking and distributing informational leaflets, we introduced RURALITIES’ mission to enhance resilience, sustainability, and economic growth in rural communities.

The 8th Agri-Expo Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, provided an excellent platform for MarinBio to engage with key stakeholders in the agricultural sector. MarinBio’s team proudly represented RURALITIES at the event, introducing its mission and initiatives to enhance rural resilience, sustainability, and economic growth.

Throughout the two-day expo, the team actively connected with agricultural professionals, researchers, and policymakers, including Kenyan State officials. By distributing informational leaflets and participating in discussions, MariBio within RURALITIES, highlighted its commitment to supporting rural communities through innovative and sustainable agricultural solutions.

The event served as a valuable opportunity to exchange knowledge, establish partnerships, and explore potential collaborations for strengthening rural economies in Africa.

Looking Ahead
The engagement at Agri-Expo Africa 2025 marks an important step in expanding RURALITIES’ impact within the region. The team looks forward to continuing these conversations and fostering meaningful partnerships that drive sustainable development in rural areas.

The RURALITIES Project consortium recently had its General Assembly on October 29-30, 2024, at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture in Croatia. This gathering marked an important milestone, as partners from across Europe and Africa came together in a hybrid meeting to reflect on two years of achievements and strategize on the future trajectory of the project. With an agenda packed with insightful presentations, workshops, and collaborative sessions, the event highlighted RURALITIES’ strides in transforming rural areas and fostering innovation.
The assembly covered key updates and discussions, including:
Milestone Reflections: A comprehensive summary of the accomplishments and key learnings from the first two years of the project, showcasing advancements made in enhancing sustainable rural practices.
Work Package Progress: Each work package leader presented their objectives, results, challenges encountered and the way forward.
Areas for growth: WP7 focused on establishing a RURALITIES expertise centres for addressing rural-specific challenges, while WP8 outlined pathways for multi-point learning settings and training hubs to expand the project’s impact.
SIMSES Workshop: Partners collaborated in an interactive workshop to brainstorm and refine the RURAL Thrive Campaign’s upcoming testing phase.
The General Assembly not only celebrated what RURALITIES has achieved but also set clear pathways for the next steps in rural innovation and sustainability. The two-day gathering was filled with discussions on how RURALITIES will continue to reshape rural landscapes across Europe and Africa, backed by strong partnerships and a shared vision for resilient, thriving communities.
Special thanks to the University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture and Marko Vinceković for hosting the event with outstanding hospitality. We look forward to gathering again in six months to review our progress and launch the next stages of the RURALITIES journey!

RURALITIES Second Newsletter Release: Key Updates and Progress
The RURALITIES project proudly announces the release of its second newsletter, marking 24 months of achievements and milestones in advancing sustainable rural development. This edition provides insights into the project’s activities and progress while outlining the next steps.
Key Highlights:
• Achievements: Updates on work packages and milestones, showcasing efforts in engaging rural actors, developing innovation tools, and establishing expertise centers across Europe and Africa.
• Workshops and Events: Recaps of successful events, including living lab workshops and conferences, fostering collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Future Goals: Project’s roadmap for the coming months, including further living lab activities and the formalization of the Rural Thrive campaign.
To explore the full newsletter and learn more about the innovative methods and collaborative efforts driving RURALITIES forward, click here or on the picture below.

On July 10, 2024, Margherita Trestini, General Manager of Apodissi, who is our project partner in RURALITIES, participated in the “EU-Nigeria Ongoing Successful R&D Projects” panel during the Nigeria-EU Innovation Days in Lagos. During her presentation, Trestini highlighted the significant achievements of Project RURALITIES in supporting capacity building for smallholder farmers across various regions.
Her contribution showcased how RURALITIES has played a key role in empowering local communities through sustainable agricultural practices and innovative solutions. The event, hosted by the EU Delegation to Nigeria, provided a platform for sharing impactful projects that strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and the EU.
A recording of the event can be found on the EU Delegation to Nigeria’s YouTube channel: Watch here.
Their hard work and commitment are already showing results, as their locally grown cherry varieties are gaining popularity and delighting customers. This family’s story is an inspiring example of how dedication and a return to one’s roots can contribute to local economic growth and revitalization.
As part of our RoRuralia Living Lab initiative, we are excited to support this family in promoting their business and helping them engage with the wider community. By participating in local events and showcasing their unique products, they are playing an important role in the sustainable development of their region, contributing to a thriving rural economy.

On July 3, 2024, Gabor Mester, the RURALITIES project coordinator, participated in the event titled “EU Funding Opportunities under Horizon Europe: Focus on Widening Calls.” This event took place in Tunisia and was organized by the Unit for the Management of the European Research and Innovation Framework Programme “Horizon Europe” under the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. At this event, RURALITIES project was showcased as a best practice example for Pillar 2 calls from Associated Countries, North Africa, and Outermost Regions.

The event gathered experts to achieve several key objectives:

Showcase Funding Opportunities: Present various funding opportunities available under Horizon Europe.
Raise Awareness: Increase understanding of “Widening” calls within Horizon Europe.
Strengthen Synergies: Enhance cooperation between Horizon EU-WIDERA and other European networks.
Share Insights: Provide valuable insights into the proposal writing process for Pillar II actions.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the NCP_WIDERA.NET project team for organizing this event. Their efforts have significantly contributed to raising awareness and promoting synergies across different regions and networks.

To learn more about how the NCP_WIDERA.NET project can assist you in securing your next project, visit the following link: NCP_WIDERA.NET Project

Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the RURALITIES project as we continue to drive sustainable development and innovation across rural areas.

Lucian Tanasă (RDRP) and Sebastian Bruma (RDRP) recently organized the conference “Sustainable Agri-Food Systems and Rural Entrepreneurship Edition I” shedding light on innovative strategies for rural development. During this event, Sebastian Bruma (RDRP) and Diana Creanga (UNIVI) presented a significant paper titled “Facilitating the Access of Small Producers from GAL SIRET MOLDOVA to the Iași City Market,” as part of the Ruralities project experiment.
This presentation focused on innovative strategies aimed at overcoming the economic and logistical challenges faced by small producers. The paper outlined efforts to develop sustainable agricultural systems that support local economies while maintaining environmental integrity. By promoting short supply chains and local markets, the initiative aims to increase visibility and profitability for small producers.
Bruma and Creanga’s comprehensive analysis detailed the project’s results, challenges, and future prospects, contributing to a resilient agro-economic ecosystem in Romania’s Northeast Development Region. Lucian Tanasă’s role in organizing the conference was crucial in facilitating these important discussions and advancing sustainable rural development.