On the 2nd of February 2024, the members of SIMSES in Asturias gathered at ASINCAR facilities as part of the RURALITIES project. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the project’s progress and strategize the activities for the year 2024 at the regional level. SIMSES members engaged in useful discussions and evaluations.
The participating partners in SIMSES include:
CTIC: A technological center specializing in IoT, Artificial Intelligence, and Intelligent Data Analysis, with a rural Living Lab named CTIC Rural Tech.
READER: An umbrella organization representing all 11 regional Local Action Groups (LAGs) in Asturias, playing a crucial role in RURALITIES.
ASINCAR: A Food Technology Centre and Food cluster, with 100 members covering the whole chain, including a Food Pilot Plant.
DEX group: A consultancy group with extensive experience supporting LAGs in developing and implementing their strategies and plans.
During the meeting, the team conducted a comprehensive review of different work packages, emphasizing completed actions such as the development of the SIMSES actor database, description of rural Living Labs, and various dissemination activities. Looking ahead to 2024, discussions centered around characterizing SIMSES using the RURALITIES methodology and identifying available data sources to enhance the study.
The team also outlined plans for organizing workshops with regional LAGs to disseminate project insights and raise awareness about the opportunities within RURALITIES. Additionally, CTIC and ASINCAR shared exciting news about an upcoming webinar where their rural Living Labs will be showcased to the broader RURALITIES community.

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.

We are excited to announce a collaboration between RURALITIES and RENOVERTY, two pioneering projects dedicated to fostering sustainable development in rural communities. RENOVERTY, focused on energy-efficient building upgrades in vulnerable rural districts across Europe, and RURALITIES, committed to enhancing rural innovation and knowledge-based expertise, unite to amplify their collective impact.

In alignment with their shared vision for resilient rural communities, RENOVERTY and RURALITIES will collaborate to address energy poverty and drive positive change in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), South-eastern Europe (SEE), and Southern European countries (SE). Leveraging their respective expertise, the projects aim to create synergies that go beyond individual objectives, contributing to the holistic development of rural areas.

Key objectives of RENOVERTY project:

Promote the renovation of rural vulnerable districts and set the basis for the increase of energy efficiency in 17 vulnerable rural areas in 7 regions by providing individual household Renovation Energy Efficiency Roadmaps (REERs) according to the characteristics of the household and regions with the collaboration of at least 20 local actors. There will be support from 12 Local Action Groups (LAGs), one in each region for the building and implementation of these roadmaps. 
Provide a comprehensive model and guidelines for single REERs according to the different geographical and social contexts. The model will provide support to scale the project’s results and guide other public actors to renovate rural vulnerable districts after the project ends. 
Empower all (non) public actors in rural areas in becoming involved in the process of renovating vulnerable districts/buildings by identifying barriers and co-designing activities with the collaboration of private and public sectors. RENOVERTY will develop several tools and resources to enable knowledge on applying a successful integration of each phase to build the roadmap.

As RURALITIES and RENOVERTY embark on this collaborative journey, we anticipate a profound impact on rural development, energy efficiency, and community well-being. Stay tuned for updates on the synergies created by this powerful collaboration as we work towards a more sustainable and vibrant future for rural communities across Europe.

Mark your calendars for the launch of the EU Rural Toolkit! As an integral part of the long-term vision for the EU’s rural areas, this toolkit emerges as the first comprehensive online guide to EU funding and support opportunities for rural regions within the European Union.
Event Details:
Date: February 6, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM (CET)
Language: English
Platform: Online
What to Expect: Join us for a presentation and live demo of the EU Rural Toolkit, an invaluable resource for navigating EU funding and support opportunities tailored to rural areas. Gain insights into how EU programs can catalyze development in rural territories, supporting the initiatives of local authorities, institutions, businesses, and individuals. The event promises to be an enriching experience, featuring discussions on best practices and inspiring stories that showcase the transformative power of the toolkit.
Collaborative Endeavors: The Rural Toolkit is the result of collaborative efforts between the European Commission’s Directorates-General for Regional and Urban Policy, for Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Joint Research Centre.
For those passionate about the future of rural development, this event is not to be missed. Save the date, and stay tuned for more details as we unveil a tool that promises to reshape and empower rural communities in the European Union.
For further information and registration link, visit here.

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.

We are thrilled to announce the release of the first edition of the Rural Vision Magazine, marking a triumphant year for the Rural Vision EU movement. With a thriving Rural Pact community with over 2,150 members and a multitude of actions spanning from the EU to local levels, 2023 has been a year of success for the initiative, working tirelessly for more robust, interconnected, resilient, and prosperous rural areas.
This first magazine edition serves as a testament to the accomplishments of the Rural Vision movement, offering inspiring stories and valuable information. The magazine is divided into two sections:
Section 1 highlights the political achievements of the year, emphasizing the pivotal role of Member States. A special focus is given to the High-Level Rural Policy Forum in Sigüenza, supporting the Council conclusions of the long-term vision for rural areas adopted under the Spanish Presidency.
Section 2 takes you through the dynamic first year of activities of the RPSO (Rural Pact Support Office), showcasing remarkable progress in critical areas such as depopulation, digital education, energy transition, and social entrepreneurship.
Explore the magazine and be part of the movement that is shaping the future of rural communities. Click here to see the stories and insights that drive forward the implementation of the long-term vision for EU’s rural areas!

The RURALITIES project proudly participated in the inaugural edition of the 1st Biennale of Research, Innovation, and Industrialization in Africa (BRII-Africa). This landmark event, organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MESRI) in partnership with esteemed institutions such as the National Academy of Sciences and Techniques of Senegal, Institute for Health Research, Epidemiological Surveillance and Training (IRESSEF), Dakar American University of Sciences and Technology (DAUST), and the Group of Studies and Research in Nuclear Medicine (GERMN), unfolded at the Université Amadou Maktar MBOW (UAM) of Diamniadio from November 28 to 30, 2023.
Presided over by President Macky Sall, the opening ceremony on November 28, 2023, at the UAM amphitheater, set the stage for meaningful discussions and collaborations. Among the esteemed participants was the UASZ delegation, including the Vice-Rector in charge of Research, Cooperation, and Relations with the Professional World, Prof. Diouma Kobor, deputy coordinator of the BIO4AFRICA project, M. Bandia Head of the Web and Marketing Division, and Prof Lat Grand Ndiaye, BIO4AFRICA project coordinator.
Over the course of three days, the RURALITIES project showcased its research projects and teaching activities at Ziguinchor’s Assane Seck University. The dedicated stand in the Exhibition and Innovation Village provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and experiences between various universities, centers, and institutes involved in research and innovation.
The 1st BRII-Africa proved to be a key forum, fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing among institutions committed to advancing research and innovation in Africa. RURALITIES’ active participation in this event reflects its dedication to creating positive impacts in rural communities and contributing to the larger dialogue on sustainable development. As the project continues to evolve, such engagements further solidify its commitment to driving positive change on both local and global scales.

On November 15th, ASINCAR participated in the regional event, “Horizon Europe Informative Session,” organized by Agencia Sekuens and CDTI Innovación – Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación.
Marta Conde, a respected colleague from CDTI Innovación, took the stage to present the multitude of funding opportunities anticipated with the calls in 2024 from Cluster 6 of the HORIZON EUROPE Programme. As the National Contact Point for the program, Marta shared valuable insights into the potential avenues for innovation and growth.
The General Manager of ASINCAR shared testimonials about recent calls and highlighted RURALITIES as a shining success case. The project’s positive impact on rural development and innovation was underscored, showcasing how it aligns seamlessly with the goals of Horizon Europe.
An engaging round table, moderated by ASINCAR’s General Manager, featured regional organizations sharing their experiences in Cluster 6 approved projects. Notably, CTIC Technology Centre provided insights into their participation in RURALITIES, shedding light on the collaborative efforts and achievements within the project.
The Horizon Europe Informative Session served as a catalyst for exploring new funding avenues and connecting with like-minded organizations. This event proved to be exceptional, offering a dynamic platform for networking and meaningful connections. ASINCAR’s active participation, coupled with the success story of RURALITIES, underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in shaping the future of sustainable and inclusive rural development.

We’re excited to announce the release of the first RURALITIES newsletter! Packed with updates, insights, and highlights from our project, this newsletter marks an important milestone in our journey to promote rural development. Inside, you’ll find articles on recent events, project advancements, and upcoming opportunities. Stay informed about the latest happenings in our initiative and discover how we’re working together to empower rural communities. Don’t miss out – dive into our newsletter today and join us in shaping the future of rural areas!

To access the newsletter click here or on the picture below.

In a significant leap forward for rural development, the Second Ruralities Project Board Meeting was recently concluded, marking the end of a highly productive session. The event, blending both online and in-person elements, took place at the historical Inverness Town House (Scotland), showcasing the robust partnership with Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership.

This year’s meeting was not just a routine check-in; it was a celebratory milestone of the progress achieved in the project’s inaugural year. Participants, ranging from team members to project partners, shared updates and insights, reflecting on the strides made towards enhancing rural communities. The forum served as a breeding ground for innovative ideas, with detailed discussions on action plans and the creation of synergies with sister projects, setting a robust agenda for the coming year.

The meeting underscored the strength of collaboration and unity among the team members who have dedicated themselves to the common cause of rural advancement.

One of the key highlights of the meeting was the laying down of an essential framework intended to guide future efforts. This framework is not merely a blueprint but a commitment to continued dedication and motivation towards empowering rural communities.

As the RURALITIES Project steps into its second year, there is a palpable sense of excitement and anticipation among the team and stakeholders. The project promises to bring about significant changes, driving development, and fostering sustainable growth in rural areas.

The RURALITIES team invites the community and interested stakeholders to stay tuned as they continue on this exciting journey, promising further updates and outcomes in the pursuit of rural development and prosperity.