Bologna, Italy, September 15, 2023. The RURACTIVE (Empowering rural communities to act for change) research project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme, officially commenced its activities in Bologna, Italy, during their kick-off meeting held from September 13th to 15th, 2023. The project, led by Professor Simona Tondelli from the Department of Architecture at the University of Bologna, involves a multidisciplinary consortium of 26 EU partners and three associated partners. Over the next four years, the project is set to receive EUR 6.5 million in funding.

RURACTIVE is designed to address the challenges facing rural communities across Europe by developing innovative, community-led solutions. The project aims to bring about a just and sustainable transition in rural areas through 12 pilot cases that will employ smart, tailor-made, place-based, and inclusive approaches.

Key objectives of the RURACTIVE project include:

1. Empowering Rural Communities: RURACTIVE focuses on empowering rural communities to take an active role in shaping their future.
2. Community-Led Solutions: The project will develop solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of each community, ensuring local ownership and engagement.
3. Inclusivity: RURACTIVE is committed to inclusivity, aiming to bridge gaps and ensure that no one is left behind in the transition.
4. Multidisciplinary Collaboration: The consortium brings together experts from diverse fields to drive meaningful change in rural areas.

During the launch event in Bologna, Élise Lépy, representing FLIARA, highlighted our project’s efforts to enhance rural areas. FLIARA is actively working towards:

• Supporting Rural Women: FLIARA is dedicated to embedding and supporting rural women through a more effective innovation ecosystem.
• Spotlighting Achievements: The organisation aims to shine a spotlight on the accomplishments of rural women.
• Inspiration and Knowledge: FLIARA provides rural women with a source of inspiration and knowledge to foster innovation.
• Networking: The organisation connects rural women with key actors engaged in innovation, creating opportunities for collaboration.
• Visibility: FLIARA seeks to increase the visibility of rural women within national and international institutional decision-making contexts.
• Capacity Building: FLIARA is committed to enhancing the capacity and improving the skills of rural women, empowering them to lead or engage in innovative practices in farming and rural areas.

Additionally, Hannu I. Heikkinen, representing FLIARA, participated in a roundtable discussion during the event, contributing to the exchange of ideas and insights.

For more information about the RURACTIVE project and its objectives, please visit the official project website: https://www.ruractive.eu/.

RURACTIVE’s launch marks a significant step towards empowering rural communities and fostering sustainable change across Europe. The project’s commitment to inclusivity and community-led solutions promises a brighter future for rural areas in the years to come.