Masterclass in Scotland, United Kingdom
This Masterclass on Rural Innovation is a unique opportunity to connect with practitioners, researchers, policymakers and the community of innovators working to shape the future of rural areas across Europe. Hosted by The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen, Scotland, UK on 8–9 June 2026, this will be the only UK edition of the RURACTIVE Masterclass series and one of only three taking place across Europe.
Across two dynamic and interactive days in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, participants will explore new approaches on how to enable rural communities to develop innovative place-based solutions to today’s most urgent challenges. The Masterclass special focus will be on the following rural development drivers - agri-food and ecosystem management and sustainable energy transition for climate neutrality.
Why you should attend this Masterclass:
Strong focus on innovation in practice. Rather than presenting innovation as a purely technical process, we will share how rural transformation can emerge through co-creation, collaboration, stakeholder engagement and empowerment, participatory governance, and locally grounded, place-based approaches.
First-hand insights into the RURACTIVE methodology on how to enable Multi-Actor Rural Innovation Ecosystems that empower rural communities to co-design and implement innovative solutions tailored to their specific territorial challenges and opportunities.
Strong emphasis on innovative cases on how to practically integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, biodiversity conservation and protection, and social justice and inclusion into rural innovation processes and solutions.
Participants will learn directly from the experience collected from 12 RURACTIVE Dynamos — pioneering rural territories across Europe that are actively testing and implementing innovative solutions in real-world settings. Through practical examples from the RURACTIVE Solutions Catalogue, the masterclass will demonstrate how rural actors are responding creatively and collaboratively to complex local challenges.
The Masterclass combines:
- expert talks and inspiring case studies,
- interactive discussions and reflection,
- peer-to-peer learning and exchange,
- networking opportunities,
- and space for participants to share their own experiences, initiatives and perspectives.
Participants will also visit Glensaugh Farm, gaining first-hand insight into climate-positive land management and innovative sustainability initiatives, including the HydroGlen energy system. The Masterclass programme includes a peer-to-peer exchange and networking with the community of practice in North-East Scotland, organised by GrowBiz Scotland and RURACTIVE partners from across Europe.
Whether you work in policy, research, regional development, sustainability, agri-food, energy, community engagement, or are at the beginning of your career in these domains, the Masterclass offers an opportunity to:
- learn from leading European rural innovation practices,
- exchange knowledge with international peers,
- discover innovative practical tools and approaches,
- and build new collaborations for more resilient, inclusive and climate-responsive rural futures.
Agenda
Day 1 – Monday, 8 June 2026
Expert Presentations and Thematic Focus
Location: James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen
Introduction of RURACTIVE’s approach to innovation and exploring the following Rural Development Drivers:
- Sustainable agri-food and ecosystem management
- Energy transition and climate neutrality
- Local services, health and wellbeing
The programme will also integrate the following cross-cutting priorities:
- Social justice and inclusion
- Biodiversity
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
Sessions include presentations by subject experts, discussions and examples from the RURACTIVE Solutions Catalogue, fostering a deep understanding of how innovations respond to the Rural Development Drivers in practice.
09:30 – Arrival, coffee, and networking
10:00 – Welcome and RURACTIVE overview
10:20 – Icebreaker session
10:30 – Agri-food systems & ecosystem management (presentations + discussion)
11:15 – Coffee break
11:30 – Biodiversity in rural innovation (session + discussion)
12:15 – Lunch break 13:00 – Climate change mitigation (talk + immersive session)
13:45 – Panel: Energy transition & climate neutrality
14:15 – Coffee break
14:30 – Social justice & inclusion (presentation + roundtable)
15:15 – Linking rural innovation to policy & practice
16:00 – Reflections and Day 2 closure
18:00 – Joint dinner (Palm Court Restaurant)
Day 2 – Tuesday, 9th June 2026
Field Visit to Glensaugh Farm
Meeting point: James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen
Glensaugh Farm is part of the James Hutton Institute and travel will be provided to and from the site. Participants explore on-going projects demonstrating the implementation of innovations in real-life contexts.
This day also connects with the RURACTIVE Peer-to-Peer session, organised by GrowBiz, Scotland, providing participants with the opportunity to engage directly with local practitioners and stakeholders. Informal networking and discussions will take place throughout the day.
10:00 – Departure for Glensaugh Farm (minibus provided)
11:15 – Arrival, introduction to GrowBiz & networking with peers
11:30 – Glensaugh Farm & climate-positive farming presentation
12:00 – Guest talk: GrazeWatch 2000 innovation (Moofind)
12:30 – Lunch break and networking
13:30 – HydroGlen initiative presentation (green hydrogen farming)
14:00 – Guided walking tour of research project
14:30 – Coffee break
14:45 – Masterclass wrap-up and reflections
15:15 – Return to Aberdeen
16:00 – Arrival in Aberdeen