On June 7, 2024, our Project RURALITIES partners, Sebastian Bruma (RDRP), Lucian Tanasa (RDRP), and Diana Creanga (UNIVI), visited the Todirești region in Iași, Romania, where they met a remarkable family of local entrepreneurs. After spending many years working in Italy, this family made the decision to return to their homeland and invest their knowledge and passion into starting a cherry-growing business.
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.

RURALITIES Project partners recently got together in Iași, Romania, for a two-day Project Board meeting on May 15-16, 2024. This event was held at the premises of Iași University of Life Sciences, organized by our partner, the Rural Development Research Platform (RDRP).
On the first day, the team discussed the progress of each work package and the challenges encountered in establishing innovative rural methods through our pilot areas, including SIMSES. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity to assess our current trajectory and plan for the future.
The second day of the board meeting was marked by fruitful discussions among the partners, focusing, among other things, on establishing the methodology for creating living lab networks across our pilot areas.
The board members also set pathways for the African partners, who will become more actively involved by September 2024 in the project.
The Board meeting has strengthened the bonds that make our collaboration resilient and vibrant. The next three and a half years are set on a strong, respectful, and collaborative foundation, promising innovative advancements in rural development.
After the productive Board meeting, our hosts, the Rural Development Research Platform and Iași University of Life Sciences (IULS), took us to a university’s labs tour. This tour showcased the forefront of their research and development in various industries in the rural area of Iași and Romania. We had an opportunity to delve into technologies shaping the production of pastry and bakery products, meat products, dairy products, and brewing technology.

Our partners La Corte della Miniera (CDM) and ISTITUTO D’ISTRUZIONE SUPERIORE A CECCHI (IASAC) are organizing a joint conference on 29th of April 2024 with title “Safflower as a factor of local economic growth. During this event our partner ” Dr. Valerio Coppola from Gal Montefeltro Sviluppo (MOFE) will present the RURALITIES project, emphasizing its philosophy of true local development for rural areas. The project aims to share this method across European partners and African territories, promoting sustainable development processes. In the March pilot area, the focus is centered around safflower cultivation and transformation.

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius), known for its oil-rich seeds and historical uses in food coloring and fabric dyes, is gaining scientific and agricultural interest for its resilience to climate adversities and potential as a biofuel source. Società Produttori Sementi has conducted varietal selection and optimized agronomic techniques, leading to certified safflower seeds and improved yields.

We are excited to announce our collaboration with the EU-funded CITIES2030 project, dedicated to revolutionizing urban food systems and ecosystems (UFSE) across Europe. The project’s overarching goal is to foster sustainability and ensure food security by uniting researchers, entrepreneurs, civil society leaders, and cities.
CITIES2030 focuses on transforming various aspects of UFSE, including production, transportation, supply, recycling, and reuse of food. At the core of the initiative is the development of a blockchain-based UFSE management platform, creating a digital twin of the entire system. This innovative approach promotes future-proof and citizen-centric solutions to address pressing challenges.
The project aims to connect short food supply chains, actively engage citizens, and drive policy developments and innovation actions. By enhancing resilience and sustainability, CITIES2030 seeks to enable local investments and transnational deployments, ultimately creating a more efficient and trustworthy food system for all.
Through our collaboration with CITIES2030, RURALITIES reaffirms its commitment to supporting initiatives that drive positive change and promote sustainable development. Together, we look forward to contributing to the transformation of urban food systems, ensuring a healthier and more resilient future for communities across Europe.

Rural Development Research Platform (RDRP), a proud partner of the RURALITIES project, recently participated in the Food2030 Networks Conference on Transformative Food System Innovation, held from March 5th to 7th, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium.

Key Objectives of the Conference: The conference aimed to:

Coordinate cross-project collaboration for transforming the agriculture and food system.
Bring together living labs and innovators focusing on technological, social, governance, and market-driven solutions.
Foster dialogue with policymakers on overcoming barriers to transformative change.

Conference Highlights:

March 5th – Workshop for Projects: Participants engaged in meetings and discussions to foster collaboration, exchange good practices, and establish partnerships.
March 6th – Platforms for Innovators: Emphasis was placed on incremental and transformative innovation within multi-actor systems, aligning with the quad helix model.
March 7th – Dialogue with Policymakers: Decision-makers’ roles were discussed extensively, underscoring the importance of engaging policymakers in transformative initiatives.

Conclusion: The conference showcased a pragmatic approach, transitioning from organizational focus to addressing issues within multi-actor systems. Emphasis was placed on systemic thinking, transformative innovation, and multi-actor collaboration, reflecting a dynamic shift towards holistic food system transformation.

RDRP is committed to leveraging insights gained from this conference to further contribute to transformative food system innovation and sustainable rural development.

The recent “Rural Revival: Empowered Communities and Sustainable Energy in a Changing Climate” webinar, held on March 1st, 2024, brought together experts and stakeholders to explore innovative solutions for rural development and sustainable energy practices.
The webinar began with an introduction followed by presentations of three projects: RENOVERTY, RuralBioUp and RURALITIES. Technoeconomics of Energy Systems laboratory (TEESlab), University of Piraeus Research Center (UPRC) and Marco Peretto, Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP) discussed the RENOVERTY project, focusing on home renovation roadmaps to address energy poverty in vulnerable rural districts. They highlighted the project’s objectives, context, and findings, including a comprehensive report on energy poverty frameworks and policies in rural areas.
Gabor Mester from PEDAL Consulting, the coordinator of the RURALITIES project, then introduced RURALITIES and its multi-actor approach to engaging, connecting, and empowering rural actors. The project aims to foster collaboration and innovation in rural development.
Kristaps Makovskis from the Latvian State Forest Research Institute (LSFRI) Silava presented examples of rural development from the RuralBioUp project. He explained the project’s focus on the production of renewable biological resources and the value chain for converting these resources into value-added products, such as food, feed, and bioenergy. Makovskis highlighted innovative practices, such as using wood ash, peat, and biochar to create pellets for soil improvement, contributing to waste management and rural economy.
The webinar provided valuable insights into addressing energy poverty, fostering rural development, and promoting sustainability in changing climates. Participants gained knowledge and inspiration from the presentations, paving the way for future collaborations and initiatives in rural communities.

MarinBio, a partner of the RURALITIES project, participated in the 7th Africa Agri Expo (AAE) 2024 held on February 19th and 20th in Kenya. With Africa’s growing population and increasing pressure to enhance its agricultural resources, policymakers are recognizing the urgent need to modernize the industry. AAE 2024 provided an exceptional platform for MarinBio to engage with agricultural stakeholders and decision-makers, offering valuable networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities. The conference program covered a diverse range of topics, including innovative farming techniques, data-driven agriculture, sustainable practices, and investment opportunities. MarinBio’s participation in AAE 2024 underscores its commitment to advancing agricultural development and shaping the future of agriculture in Africa.

On February 29, 2024, two RURALITIES project partners situated in the Asturias (Spain), presented their living labs during the second living labs online workshop. This workshop served as a dynamic platform for exchanging insights, fostering collaboration, and delving into the innovative initiatives shaping the local landscape.

The first living lab presented at this workshop was ASINCAR’s Food Pilot Plant. ASINCAR is a nonprofit organization with 3 different roles related to innovation, technology and cooperation. Food Pilot Plant is a living lab that is reproducing the environment of a Food SME, working under controlled conditions. Different activities developed in the living lab include:

Scaling up of food production – going from small to relevant production batches. Process adaptations due to increasing production – Transitioning from small-scale batches to relevant production quantities involves adaptations to the production process. The Living Lab has been addressing challenges associated with increased production, ensuring that unwanted processes are identified and avoided in larger food production settings. Moreover, the Living Lab is testing new ingredients and additives, or trying new ways of incorporating ingredients, to avoid undesirable tastes or odors that may emerge during the scaling-up process.
Validation of food technologies at pre-industrial level – this involves activities such as introduction and assessment of new packaging machines or new packaging materials. The Living Lab is actively engaging in the validation, optimization and determination of different performance indicators of new technologies.
Research and development process, which is key role of all living labs in general. Main innovation lines in ASINCAR are development of new food products or formulations, food processing technologies, innovative packaging systems, biotechnology, bioeconomy and new manufacturing process.
Tech transfer and networking activities
Vocational training – training for unemployed and active workers. This training anually provides education for around 1000 people.

The result of ASINCAR’s Food Pilot Plant work are for example new food products such as gourmet grilled fish preserves, blueberries dried with a different drying process using fruit discarded by the distributors because of visual defects or chorizo (sausage) with reduced fat content that can be labelled as light

Another important outcome of the Living lab is connected to validation of new food technologies or tech transfer. Food Pilot Plant is specializing in Near Infrarred Spectroscopy (NIR) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI). Thanks to these analytical methods, calibration models can be developed that can predict shelf life, assess nutritional content or identify food fraud.
Second Asturias Living Lab presented at this workshop was CTIC Rural Tech. CTIC is a Technology Centre located in Gijón and represents the most innovative ecosystem in Asturias. CTIC aims to be a catalyst for innovation and trusted technological partner by generating innovative services and products and integrating technology into business processes to enhance competitiveness. CTIC focuses on multiple fields such as data economy, health and wellness, territorial intelligence and industry.

CTIC Rural Tech is a centre for technological innovation focused on developing and implementing innovative solutions for rural environments. This living lab aims to improve the quality of life of rural communities and improve the capabilities of rural companies and territories through technological innovation.

Main lines of work of CTIC Rural tech Include

Innovation and digital transformation for rural businesses
Technological innovation for improving people’s quality of life, which includes for example teaching people how to work with a computer
Support for local development entities and groups
Rural technology demonstration centre
Meeting place for stakeholders and model villages

Peón Valley projects:

CTIC Rural Tech is at the forefront of innovative projects aimed at revolutionizing various aspects of rural life. From pioneering Smart Grazing initiatives to Beekeeping 4.0, which focuses on enhancing the quality of honey, CTIC Rural Tech is driving transformative change. The Energy Community project, involving five houses, a school, and CTIC Rural Tech, is dedicated to reducing energy costs and preventing wastage, with active participation from local neighbours and collaboration on different European projects. Additionally, CTIC Rural Tech’s Climate Simulator offers insights into plant reactions to high temperatures, drought periods, and pests. Through Vegetable Patch Sensorization, the quality of soil, rainfall, and soil nutrients are analyzed, enabling effective pest control and ensuring for example the traceability of apple quality with apple tree sensors. Furthermore, CTIC Rural Tech’s initiatives extend to forest fire prevention through sensors and meteorological stations, while also introducing innovative projects like the Cider Digital Passport and Data Process Control, demonstrating its commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable rural development.

Moreover, CTIC Rural Tech is used as an Intergenerational space where activities with young and older residents of the Valley and village are being held to strengthen the community and create a platform for them.

The future of CTIC Rural Tech lies in creating a living lab for EU project experimentation, blending technology, AI, and nature. This innovative approach aims to revolutionize rural development by harmonizing technological advancements with environmental sustainability. By integrating cutting-edge technology and AI insights, CTIC Rural Tech envisions a future where rural communities thrive through sustainable practices and technological innovation.

In an ambitious effort under the RURALITIES framework, conducted an awareness workshop coupled with a scientific excursion for Master students specializing in Environmental Biology and Sahelian Ecosystems, starting from February 15, 2024. This initiative stands as a testament to the project’s commitment to environmental education and community engagement by UNIVERSITE DE NOUAKCHOTT AL AASRIYA.

The workshop, part of the RURALITIES project’s broader objectives, aimed to enhance the visibility of crucial environmental issues within the civil community of Mauritania, drawing attention for the target area. The event was strategically designed to bridge the gap between academic research, policy-making, and community-level environmental practices.

Complementing the workshop, the scientific excursion offered a practical, field-based learning experience for the students. Immersing themselves in the Sahelian ecosystems, they explored viable topics for their Master’s theses, which are expected to focus on sustainable development, promotion of local activities, and innovative income-generating ventures that leverage ecosystem resources.

These student-led research initiatives are aligned with the RURALITIES project’s goals to foster sustainable community development and to provide the target population with training in new, eco-friendly, and profitable professions. By linking academic research directly with the needs and potentials of local ecosystems, the project aspires to create a sustainable model for environmental and economic development.

This holistic approach facilitated by the RURALITIES project in Mauritania not only enriches the educational experience of the students but also cultivates a sense of responsibility and innovation in addressing environmental challenges. It sets a precedent for how academic programs and community projects can intersect to yield tangible benefits for both the environment and the people living within it.

The success of the workshop and excursion under the RURALITIES framework has sparked optimism for future collaborative efforts in environmental conservation and community development in the Sahelian region. As these Master students advance in their research, they carry forward the RURALITIES project’s vision, contributing to a sustainable future for Mauritania and beyond.

Introducing rurAllure, a sister project of RURALITIES, with a singular mission — to enrich the cultural, economic, and demographic landscape of predominantly rural regions along pilgrimage routes in Europe. Funded by the EU, rurAllure establishes a network of cultural institutions, providing museums and natural heritage sites greater visibility along these sacred paths. This initiative also opens a digital portal for local businesses to showcase services tailored to pilgrims, fostering economic growth and community connections. Join us in exploring how rurAllure intertwines cultural heritage with pilgrimage routes, creating opportunities for regions facing unique challenges.
Follow the discussion with Elena Dubinina, rurAllure communication team leader, as we delve into the vision and impact of rurAllure.
What does rurAllure stand for?
The project’s full title “Promotion of rural museums and heritage sites in the vicinity of the European pilgrimage routes” has a short abbreviation rurAllure, coming from two words – “rural” and “lure”, showing the project’s key objectives – to lure the travellers and walkers to the rural areas.
What are the main goals of rurAllure?
This Horizon 2020 project has a duration of 3 year and was launched in the beginning of 2021. During this time the Consortium has been working on two levels targeting policy-makers and tourists. The partners conducted a thorough research and prepared a policy brief, a series of recommendations and a manual of best practices to be shared with the European, national and regional policy-makers and relevant stakeholders to provide tools for territorial enhancement and valorisation. The research is focused on rural areas in the vicinity of pilgrimage routes.
On the other hand, we developed tools, allowing tourists, walkers and pilgrims to easily prepare self-guided tailor-made tours depending on their interests and motivations. The project has now launched a digital platform and a mobile application, containing more than 8,000 points of interests (cultural and natural heritage sites, museums, gastronomic activities, traditions and festivals) along and near-by the major European routes, combining them with the economic actors (hospitality, catering, guides and services).
Where are the pilot areas of the project?
The project unites 6 pilgrimage routes: Camino de Santiago (or St James’ way), St Olav ways, the Way of Mary, Via Francigena, Romea Strata, Via Romea Germanica. Together they run across 11,000 km of 18 European countries.
The participating routes are divided into 4 pilots, each of them preparing mapping and tourism packages combining walking with specific experiences. The partners in the package on the St James ways focus on the literary heritage of writers and poets in Spanish Galicia and northern Portugal. The St Olav’s Ways – the network of walking routes in Scandinavia with a terminus in Trondheim – is combining hiking and ethnography.
The Way of Mary, the pilgrimage route in the Central Europe and the Balkans with a destination in the shrine of Csíksomlyó, enhances the natural beauty of the route.
One of the packages is dedicated to the ways to Rome, combining Via Francigena (3,200 km from English Canterbury via Rome to Santa Maria di Leuca), Romea Strata (4,044km from Tallinn to Rome) and Via Romea Germanica (from German Stade to the Eternal City). This package combines walking with thermal heritage.
How can the project go beyond its timeframe?
rurAllure ends in a few months, however, the Consortium will continue working together thanks to the recently launched the European Cooperation Network along the Pilgrimage Routes.
This network will capitalise on the project results, such as mapping of cultural heritage, academic research, communication and marketing strategies and profiling of pilgrims but most of all collaborations among the stakeholders.
It facilitates the cooperation at pan-European level among actors involved in pilgrimage routes management and promotion, favouring coordination and raising a common voice.
Serving as a platform to share best practices on rural development through cultural tourism, it also facilitates creation of joint projects.