Rural populations across Europe are often disproportionately affected by poverty and social exclusion. Yet, climate and energy transitions—when designed with inclusion and equity in mind—can unlock powerful opportunities for building more resilient, competitive, and environmentally sustainable rural economies.

On 12 June 2025, during the European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW 2025) in Brussels, experts and stakeholders gathered to explore innovative and inclusive approaches to sustainable rural development. The session showcased how climate and energy policies can be leveraged not just for decarbonisation, but also as tools for social cohesion and economic revitalisation in rural areas.

The discussion drew on the work and insights of four key initiatives at the forefront of this transformation: RENOVERTY, RURENER, RURALITIES, and JUSTPEPP. These projects are advancing models that embed social, economic, and environmental dimensions into rural policy and action—ensuring rural communities are empowered to lead the transition within their own territories.

Our Project Coordinator, Gabor Mester, joined the panel discussion and shared key insights from the RURALITIES project, highlighting its commitment to inclusive innovation and community-driven transformation.

“It was a great pleasure to engage in this insightful session, exchanging ideas with fellow panelists and participants on how we can effectively promote sustainable rural development through our initiatives—and explore ways to extend their impact beyond the EU.
Strengthening rural communities globally requires collaboration, innovation, and inclusive approaches—and it’s encouraging to see this conversation gaining momentum.” — Gabor Mester

A central theme of the session was the importance of locally grounded, participatory approaches to development. Speakers highlighted that for rural areas to thrive under new policy frameworks such as the Clean Industrial Deal, it is essential to ensure no community is left behind. The integration of climate action with rural innovation, skills development, and access to clean energy was presented as a critical strategy for inclusive growth.

The session laid a strong foundation for future collaboration and policy alignment, setting the stage for transformative change that puts rural voices and leadership at the centre.

Couldn’t join us at EUSEW 2025 or want to revisit the discussion?
👉 Watch the full session recording here: https://interactive.eusew.eu/eusew-2025/sessions/59987e61-5568-45d1-97d7-9bc7f6d6b39b

On May 22, 2025, the European Rural Pact Support Office hosted an engaging online webinar dedicated to sharing good practices in promoting innovation across rural Europe. The event convened representatives from EU institutions, regional authorities, civil society, and Horizon Europe projects to exchange knowledge and foster collaboration around rural resilience and sustainability.

As part of the Horizon Europe RURALITIES project, Viola Gaudiano of Romea Strata presented the inspiring SmartAltopiano initiative. Her contribution highlighted how cultural heritage routes and community-driven efforts can serve as powerful tools for innovation and regeneration in rural and mountainous areas.

The webinar also explored a wide range of innovative approaches—from smart villages and social entrepreneurship to digital tools and bioeconomy labs—demonstrating the diversity and creativity of EU-supported rural development efforts.

We thank the organisers and all participants for a stimulating exchange of ideas.

To access the event recordings and presentations, visit: https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/events/good-practice-webinar-rural-innovation_en 

On May 21, 2025, the Regional Development Agency Posavje proudly participated in the Learning Parade – Day of Learning Communities in Krško, showcasing the Horizon Europe Project RURALITIES.

At a public stand filled with engaging materials and interactive conversations, the team presented key themes of the project, including sustainable rural development, community involvement, and lifelong learning. The event drew visitors of all ages and backgrounds, creating a vibrant atmosphere of knowledge sharing and local pride.

The Learning Parade provided a valuable platform to connect with community members, exchange ideas with other organizations, and highlight innovative pathways for rural education and resilience.

We thank everyone who stopped by and look forward to future opportunities to collaborate in building dynamic, empowered rural communities.

We are delighted to share that the book “Sustainable and Resilient Rural Systems. Studies in Agroeconomics and Rural Anthropology” has received the Bronze Medal at the EUROINVENT 2025 International Exhibition of Inventions and Scientific Research, held in Iași, Romania.

The volume, coordinated by Ioan Sebastian Brumă, was developed to support local stakeholders engaged in the RoRuralia Living Lab, initiated by SIMSES Romania under the Horizon Europe – RURALITIES project. It brings together 26 expert contributions in agroeconomics, sociology, and environmental sciences, tackling pressing rural issues such as poverty, food systems, ecological agriculture, digital transformation, and heritage revitalization.

This recognition not only celebrates the quality of interdisciplinary research but also reinforces the importance of living labs as a model for fostering innovation and sustainability in rural territories. The RURALITIES project is proud to support impactful knowledge that bridges science and practice for the benefit of rural communities across Europe.

Congratulations to the RoRuralia Living Lab team and SIMSES Romania for this outstanding achievement!

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.

A strategic workshop was held in Krško, Slovenia on 12th of March 2025, to support the development of the Masterplan for Sustainable Tourism in the Sava River Basin. Organised by THR Strategic Tourism Advisors and Oikon Ltd. – Institute of Applied Ecology, the workshop brought together 25 participants from various countries and professional backgrounds. The focus was on identifying key challenges and opportunities related to sustainable tourism, especially in the areas of ecotourism, river tourism, and cycling routes.

The event aimed to co-create a shared vision for tourism that supports the EU’s goals for the green transition of rural areas, encourages the exchange of good practices, and promotes economic development while preserving natural and cultural heritage. The workshop aligned closely with the Horizon Europe RURALITIES project, which promotes long-term development and community empowerment through innovative and sustainable practices.

Several key outcomes emerged from the workshop. Participants agreed that sustainable tourism must become a strategic pillar for rural communities in the Sava Basin. Protected areas, such as Ramsar sites and UNESCO-designated landscapes, were identified as essential for developing ecotourism and cycling routes. Effective implementation will require cooperation among local communities, institutions, and international organisations. A strong emphasis was also placed on maintaining a balance between creating new economic opportunities and safeguarding natural and cultural resources.

The event also highlighted important challenges, including the need to align cross-border interests, address limited infrastructure in rural areas, and avoid overdevelopment that could harm sensitive environments. Participants acknowledged the need for sustainable approaches and long-term planning to manage these risks.

Feedback from participants was very positive. The workshop provided a valuable space for exchanging ideas and shaping strategies, with particular appreciation for including local voices and priorities in the discussion. The event helped build a foundation for future cooperation and practical action.

Looking ahead, the outcomes of this workshop will contribute to drafting the official Strategic Plan for Sustainable Tourism in the Sava Basin. The plan will propose concrete actions and identify major challenges, to be included in planning documents supported by the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). These efforts will play a key role in enhancing the resilience of rural areas and improving quality of life across the region.

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.