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Rural Thrive 2050

Connecting Communities,  Inspiring Change, Shaping the Future of Rural Territories

Rural communities are creating new ways to live, work, innovate and care for people and landscapes. #RuralThrive50

Across Europe and Africa, rural communities are creating new ways to live, work, innovate and  care for people and landscapes.

From regenerative agriculture and renewable energy  to social innovation, local entrepreneurship and  digital connectivity, rural territories are shaping  solutions for a more sustainable future. Yet too often, these stories remain invisible. Rural Thrive 2050 exists  to change that.

Through storytelling, collaboration, events and collective action, the campaign brings together communities, projects and organisations working towards stronger, more connected and future-oriented rural territories. Because thriving rural areas are not only important for rural communities – they are essential for our shared future.

Running from September 2026 to April 2027,  with pre-campaign activities already underway,  Rural Thrive 2050 is a collaborative international campaign connecting rural communities, projects  and organisations across Europe and Africa.

A Campaign  Open to Everyone

The Rural Thrive Campaign welcomes participation from rural communities, projects and initiatives, organisations and networks, Living Labs, researchers and innovators, local authorities, civil society organisations, entrepreneurs, youth and women groups, and individuals passionate about rural futures.

Whether through events, stories, workshops, local initiatives or digital engagement, everyone is invited to contribute to the conversation, by using the official hashtag:

#RuralThrive50

Why Rural Futures Matter?

Rural territories are at the centre of some of today’s biggest transitions:

At the same time, many rural  communities continue to face challenges:

1. Depopulation
2. Limited access to services
3. Territorial inequalities
4. Economic transitions
5. Reduced visibility in public discussions

Connecting Rural Voices Across Europe and Africa

Rural Thrive 2050 creates space for communities across Europe and Africa to exchange experiences, share innovations and inspire new approaches to sustainability and rural development.

Different territories face different realities. But many challenges, ideas and aspirations are shared.

Through dialogue, storytelling and collaboration, the campaign aims to strengthen connections between communities, organisations and initiatives working towards stronger rural futures  across continents.

Rural Thrive 2050 Vision

The decisions and investments made today will shape rural futures for decades to come.
Rural Thrive 2050 aims to ensure rural communities are part of that conversation — not as passive territories, but as active drivers of innovation, resilience and transformation.

Voices Shaping Rural Futures

Throughout the campaign, farmers, entrepreneurs, youth, educators, innovators, cooperatives and local communities will share:

Some stories will showcase innovation. Others will highlight challenges.

Others will inspire action.

Together, these voices create a collective picture of rural territories as  places of creativity, resilience and transformation.

Campaign Themes

Rural Thrive 2050 Calendar of Activities & Resources

Follow our upcoming events, webinars, stories and resources. Everything is listed here in date order, with links to take action. Explore past activities and their related materials.

Current and Upcoming Activities
Past Activities

Upcoming activities and initiatives. Listings will be updated as further details become available.

NOVEMBER 2026 (EXACT DATE TO BE CONFIRMED)
Workshop on Tourism Value in Rural Communities
An interactive workshop exploring how tourism creates, circulates, and retains value in rural communities.
Organised by GAMENG.

5 DECEMBER 2026
World Soil Day
Rural Thrive 2050 will mark World Soil Day with a campaign highlighting the importance of healthy soils for sustainable rural communities. We will announce more details about the planned activities soon.
Would you like to contribute? Share a relevant initiative, suggest an activity or explore the possibility of organising something with us.
Get in touch: sabosede@apodissi.com; cperereira@apodissi.com

NOVEMBER - MARCH 2027
RURALTHRIVE podcast series
Coming soon…

More activities are in the pipeline
Further webinars, podcasts and local activities are being planned with Rural Thrive 2050 partners and supporters. Details will be added here as they are confirmed.

Explore previous activities, articles, photos, recordings and other related materials.

16 OCTOBER 2026
World Food Day: Innovate Today, Nourish Tomorrow
Rural food innovators from Europe and Africa take the spotlight through stories, a food carousel and short videos. The campaign also highlights Ruralities resources on rural food systems.
Organised by Ruralities partners and Rural Thrive supporters
Explore →

9 OCTOBER 2026
Ruralities Newsletter, Issue 4
Meet the Rural Thrive 2050 supporters, including Bio Top Romania, GAMENG, VRDS Bacau, and World Gastronomy Network, and learn how your organisation can join.
Learn more →

22 SEPTEMBER 2026
Tourism Value Systems™ — Rural Thrive 2050 Insight
An insight into how tourism value stays, circulates and contributes to a community over time.
Read Insight →

10 SEPTEMBER 2026
Farm visits for education: social and inclusive innovation through community voices
An initiative of Inagro and the Province of West Flanders.
Read article →

1 SEPTEMBER 2026
RuralThrive2050 Launch Campaign
The launch gathered the RURALITIES consortium, EU representatives, the first batch of RuralThrive50 Supporters, and organisations and projects working across rural development, research, innovation, business, civil society, and policymaking.
Organised by Apodissi, the Ruralities project
Read the article →Watch the recording →Download presentations →

Organise an activity with us

Would you like to organise a webinar, podcast, local event or another activity together with Rural Thrive 2050? Have an activity or initiative that could contribute to the campaign? We would love to hear from you.

Get in touch: sabosede@apodissi.com; cperereira@apodissi.com

Rural Thrive 2050 Calendar of Activities & Resources

Follow our upcoming events, webinars, stories and resources. Everything is listed here in date order, with links to take action. Explore past activities and their related materials.

Current and Upcoming Activities
Past Activities
Phase 3

Launch and Awareness

Community and Online Activation

Results Showcase and Evaluation of Activities

What the Campaign Will Do

Throughout the campaign, partners and supporters across  Europe and Africa will organise:

Engagement Activities

Local community events

Workshops and training activities

Living Lab engagement actions

Webinars and online discussions

Storytelling & Communication

Storytelling and interview campaigns

Podcasts and multimedia activities

Awareness and communication initiatives

Collaboration & Networking

Cross-project collaboration activities

Dissemination and networking events

The Campaign  Will Also Showcase

Knowledge & Innovation

Innovative local practices
Project results and methodologies
Policy-oriented discussions
Success stories and good practices
Training resources and tools
Community-led rural innovation initiatives

Rural Thrive Supporters

Rural Thrive Supporters are projects, organisations and initiatives  collaborating with the campaign through joint communication,  dissemination, events and stakeholder engagement activities.

Together, supporters help amplify rural innovation, sustainability  initiatives and community voices while contributing to a broader  collaborative ecosystem around rural futures.

GAMENG AB

GAMENG AB is a Swedish innovation company helping destinations and rural territories create stronger local economies through systems thinking, stakeholder collaboration and sustainable tourism. We combine strategic facilitation, capacity building and practical innovation with our Tourism Value Systems™ framework to support resilient, competitive and future-ready destinations. By connecting governance, businesses and communities, we help transform tourism into long-term local value. Our work spans strategy, education, workshops, international collaboration and destination transformation across Europe.

Learn more

BIO TOP ROMANIA

BIO TOP ROMANIA is an agricultural cooperative pioneering the application of biophysical technologies to enhance the resilience of plants and animals, optimise biological processes, and increase productivity without additional chemical or material inputs. With results already validated under real field conditions, the cooperative is also committed to empowering rural youth, fostering knowledge transfer, and driving innovation for more resilient and sustainable rural communities.

Learn more

Vegetable Research and Development Station Bacau (VRDS Bacau)

Vegetable Research and Development Station Bacau (VRDS Bacau) is a Romanian research institution dedicated to vegetable breeding, seed production, and sustainable agricultural practices in the Moldavia region. It is the only specialised vegetable research station in North-East Romania and the country's leading centre for organic vegetable growing, having pioneered organic farming in Romania and produced the country's first cabbage hybrids.

Learn more

YPARD Albania

YPARD Albania is a non-profit organisation led by young professionals for young professionals for agricultural development. They aim to equip young professionals around the world through networking, advocacy, and capacity building for an agrifood systems transformation, challenging exploitative systems with an equitable, rights-based approach which prioritizes communities, the environment, and just economic sustainability.

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Africa Agribusiness Academy (AAA)

Africa Agribusiness Academy is an entrepreneur membership and consulting organisation seeking to foster innovation and growth of small- and medium-scale agrifood firms (SMEs) in Africa by connecting them within Africa and between Africa and the international business world. Its focus is on learning and enhancing the competitiveness and management capacity of its members, with the ultimate aim of contributing to economic growth and improvement of rural incomes and food security.

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ENTRACK

ENTRACK is an EU-funded LIFE Programme project helping rural municipalities across Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain design fair, inclusive, and effective clean energy transition plans. By combining capacity building, citizen participation, and practical policy tools, ENTRACK enables local and regional authorities to turn European climate ambitions into action on the ground. The project works with eight pilot municipalities to co-design energy policies that respond to local needs, tackle energy poverty, and support vulnerable communities. Through training programmes, Communities of Practice, and a ready-to-use methodology, ENTRACK equips policymakers with the knowledge and technical skills needed to create socially just energy strategies that align with the European Green Deal and the EU's 2050 climate neutrality goals.

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FARM FUTURE

FARM FUTURE Limited is a Malawi-based agricultural enterprise focusing on regenerative agriculture, organic compost manure, and bio-based agricultural solutions for smallholder farmers.

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MOTHER MART AFRICA

MOTHER MART AFRICA Mother Mart Africa is a rural agroecological enterprise based in Mukono, Uganda, dedicated to providing sustainable farming solutions to smallholder farmers. We focus on three key areas: supplying organic inputs (like compost fertilisers and biopesticides), training farmers in agroecological practices and agri-technologies (especially women, people with disabilities, and youth), and building climate resilience through soil conservation, water efficiency, and biodiversity protection. By empowering local communities with practical knowledge and eco-friendly products, we aim to create healthier food systems, protect the environment, and improve livelihoods across Uganda.

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CORE

Coalition for Social Studies in Rural and Agricultural Youth in Europe: Youth Employment (CORE) is an Erasmus+ project bringing together rural and agricultural youth organisations, research institutions and other relevant actors to address the challenges faced by young people in accessing quality employment and building their future in rural and agricultural areas. Through research, the exchange of good practices and social dialogue, CORE aims to strengthen cooperation and contribute to practical and policy solutions that improve opportunities for young people across rural Europe.

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RURART

RURART is a project that aims to promote culture & art through storytelling for social inclusion. Their stories are based on Academia research and backed up with references, supporting rural communities with UNESCO heritage.

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Ewaffe Cultural Village Limited

Ewaffe Cultural Village Limited is a cultural tourism social enterprise committed to preserving and promoting Uganda's diverse cultural heritage through authentic visitor experiences. The company offers immersive cultural experiences including traditional cuisine, storytelling, indigenous knowledge, cultural performances, craft demonstrations, nature walks, community tours, agritourism and locally produced souvenirs including coffee.

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Eureka Learners Foundation (ELF)

Eureka Learners Foundation (ELF) is a Nigeria-based nonprofit organisation committed to expanding access to learning, opportunities and inclusive community development. Through education, empowerment, leadership development, community engagement and knowledge-sharing initiatives, ELF supports young people, learners and communities to build capacity, connect with opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society.

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NODDA

NODDA (Nouvelle Orientation pour la promotion du Développement Durable en Afrique) is an African organisation working with vulnerable communities to develop sustainable solutions that foster hope, dignity, and active participation. Its mission is to equip vulnerable groups with the tools and opportunities they need to become empowered, active citizens and enjoy their universally recognised rights

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WOGI

WOGI: World Gastronomy Network is a Hungary-based innovation organisation working at the intersection of rural development, sustainable food systems, digitalisation and regional innovation ecosystems. The network develops and supports practical solutions that strengthen connections between local producers, consumers, communities and innovation actors, with a particular focus on short food supply chains, Living Lab-based experimentation and the sustainable economic development of rural regions.

Learn more