Smart solutions for smart rural communities: empowering rural communities and smart villages to innovate for societal change (RURACTIVE)

Description

RURACTIVE aims to foster a just and sustainable transition of rural areas by developing smart, community-led, tailor-made, place-based and inclusive solutions within local Multi-Actor Rural Innovation Ecosystems (RIEs) in 12 pilot areas (Dynamos - Ds) in 7 EU, 2 Associated Countries and Switzerland. RURACTIVE will unlock the innovation potential of rural communities by addressing six integrated Rural Development Drivers (RDDs) – namely, (1) multimodal mobility, (2) energy transition, (3) agri-food & agroecology, (4) culture & cultural innovation, (5) health & wellbeing, (6) nature-based & cultural tourism. RURACTIVE will empower rural communities to act for societal change, by making available existing knowledge around smart solutions that integrate various forms of innovation (digital and technological, technical, organizational and social, business models and financial) and enhancing rural communities' capacities and skills, by providing training, capacity building, and knowledge transfer. Implementing a methodology for RIEs establishment. RURACTIVE will work towards inclusive decision-making processes for all, including vulnerable groups and people at risk of exclusion, providing RIEs with instruments and capacities to collaboratively co-develop, co-implement and co-monitor smart and community-led solutions. Finally, by offering an open set of data-driven tools (Decision Support Tool, Adaptive Monitoring tool), a digital infrastructure (RURACTIVE Digital Hub), and defining a programme for
external Innovators, RURACTIVE will provide a fertile ground for change in rural areas.

For the Swedish part;
Project leader, Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor Heracles Polatidis
Grant, 215535 Euro

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