Today, we hosted a webinar dedicated to exploring the contributions of our African Union (AU) partners to the Ruralities Project. This enlightening online event was organized by Ruralities Coordinator, Gabor Mester from PEDAL Consulting, with a special focus on the expertise of our guest, Bruno Sales de Silva, as the key speaker. Bruno’s insights and knowledge were very important in shedding light on the significant role that our AU partners play in shaping the future of rural communities.
The webinar proved to be more than just an informational session, it was a platform for boosting our internal capacity. As we gathered virtually, we strengthened our understanding of the collective vision that drives the Ruralities Project forward.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Bruno for his exceptional contribution. His presentation was not only instructive but also incredibly detailed, providing valuable insights into the AU’s role in the Ruralities Project. Bruno’s dedication to sharing knowledge and driving meaningful progress is commendable and deeply appreciated.
As we move forward on our journey of rural transformation, the contributions of our AU partners remain invaluable. Their unique perspectives and expertise enrich our project, propelling us towards a future where rural communities thrive. The Ruralities Project is a testament to what collaboration can achieve, and we are excited about the positive impact we can collectively make.

On November 4, 2022, the Ruralities Project proudly took center stage at the final conference of the EU Project “CLIKIS – Climate and energy-efficient kitchens in schools.” This significant event, held in the City of Sisak, Croatia, provided a platform for Ruralities project partner, Professor Marko Vinceković from the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, to present the Ruralities Project to an influential and diverse audience.

The conference was attended by various stakeholders committed to sustainable development. Among the attendees were representatives from the local community, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Additionally, food manufacturers, farmers, and delegates from Zagreb County lent their expertise to the discussions.

Professor Marko Vinceković’s presentation marked a pivotal moment in our journey towards empowering rural communities. It provided a unique opportunity to introduce the Ruralities Project to a wider audience and highlight its significance in addressing critical rural challenges.

The presence of such a diverse group of stakeholders created an atmosphere of collaboration and shared purpose. The Ruralities Project thrives on partnerships and collective efforts, making this conference an essential step in building bridges between various entities invested in rural development.

In a big step towards fostering rural innovation and sustainable development, Pedal Consulting s. r. o., in collaboration with 36 pan-European and 16 African organizations, launched the ambitious project RURALITIES. The project, funded by the European Commission the Horizon Europe program, aims to deliver ecosystem and climate-driven innovation and training centers across Europe.
Coordinated by PEDAL Consulting, RURALITIES envisions transforming rural landscapes by providing expertise and establishing a comprehensive learning framework through living labs. The kick-off meeting, held on November 2nd, 2022, in Bratislava, Slovakia, set the stage for a transformative journey.
Key Objectives:
Real-Scale Practice in Rural Socio-Ecological Systems: RURALITIES plans to execute real-scale practicing (demonstrators) in six simplified rural socio-ecological systems (SIMSES) across Italy, the United Kingdom, Slovenia, Spain, and Romania.
Facilitator Recruitment and Training: The project aims to recruit, train, and coach over 1,000 facilitators distributed across participating countries. These facilitators, including trainers, role models, and hub coordinators, will play a pivotal role in creating the foundation for the project’s learning framework.
Support for Rural Innovation: RURALITIES seeks to coordinate actions with local and regional authorities to support rural innovation in sectors such as food, logistics, tourism, health, energy, and digital technologies.
RURALITIES has outlined key milestones to achieve its goals:
Action Plan and Roadmap: Develop an action plan, roadmap, and dissemination/communication plan by March 2023.
Website Launch: Launch the RURALITIES website on rural innovation from various initiatives and countries by March 2023.
Specialized Training Centers: Establish specialized training centers for facilitators by December 2026.
Expertise Centers: Open RURALITIES expertise centers as information and contact points by December 2026.
Innovation Accelerators: Set up RURALITIES Hubs as innovation accelerators, providing tools and methodology to implement project results by December 2026.
The kick-off meeting in Bratislava marked the beginning of an extensive journey towards rural innovation and sustainable development in Europe. With clear objectives, a dedicated team, and the support of the European Commission, RURALITIES is poised to make a lasting impact on rural communities by fostering innovation and knowledge-sharing. Stay tuned for updates as RURALITIES progresses towards its milestones, reshaping the future of rural landscapes.