The RURALITIES project was proudly presented by the University of Zagreb, one of our project partners, at the Autumn International Bjelovar Fair. This major event is among the most significant agricultural fairs in Croatia, attracting thousands of visitors each year and offering a platform where tradition meets innovation.
At the heart of the fair lies the National Livestock Exhibition, which serves as a showcase for Croatia’s finest breeding animals and a hub of expertise for livestock farming. The exhibition brought together excellence across a wide range of sectors, including cattle, horse, pig, sheep, goat and poultry breeding, as well as beekeeping. Visitors were able to explore both top-quality breeding stock and innovative approaches that are shaping the future of the sector.
By featuring RURALITIES at such a prominent event, the University of Zagreb was able to:
- Present the project’s vision for climate-smart, ecosystem-enhancing rural development
- Engage with breeders, producers, and rural stakeholders on how innovation can support their everyday practices
- Exchange knowledge on balancing sustainability and tradition in livestock farming
- Demonstrate the project’s role in empowering local actors through training, living labs, and hubs of expertise
The participation at Bjelovar Fair offered a unique opportunity to connect RURALITIES with the realities of the rural economy, particularly in the livestock sector, which plays such a central role in Croatia’s agricultural identity. It highlighted how the project not only supports the preservation of traditional livestock practices but also contributes to their renewal by introducing innovative, climate-smart solutions.
Through this engagement, RURALITIES continues to strengthen its ties with rural communities, ensuring that farmers, breeders, and producers remain at the forefront of Europe’s rural transition.
