landscape with fields and hills
Empowering rural communities to act for change

RURACTIVE Dynamos shape visions for their rural areas

Throughout September and October Dynamos invited the communities of their Rural Innovation Ecosystem for their first local workshop, titled 'vision and challenges'. The workshop is part of a series of activities aimed at defining the Local Action Plan, a document collecting the co-developed solutions within RURACTIVE and how they will be implemented. The primary objective of this first workshop was for the Dynamos and their communities to define a common vision for their territories and to identify the main local challenges and needs.

RURACTIVE defines a challenge as something new and difficult that may arise within the context of one or more of the RURACTIVE topics (Rural Development Drivers) in each Dynamo’s territory. This also includes issues related to the issues of climate change, biodiversity as well as social justice and inclusion.

Together, around 200 citizens across the 12 RURACTIVE pilot areas developed a common vision for each of their regions. The visions outlined what the rural communities strive to develop towards in order to become stronger and more resilient.

These examples illustrate the visions developed by some of the Dynamos during their local workshops:

The illustration of the rural vision of RURACTIVE Dynamo Diputacion Zamora, Spain

Dynamo Diputacion Zamora, Spain: “By the year 2030, Zamora will genuinely represent the solid and vigorous countryside of all generations, where they present life, labour, and growth.”

The illustration of the rural vision of RURACTIVE Dynamo Zagori, Greece

Dynamo Zagori, Greece: “By 2050, the stakeholders envision Zagori as a vibrant, self-sufficient, and resilient region, where villages are alive throughout the year with residents of all ages. Houses are open and welcoming, schools and health centers function smoothly, and families—comprising young people, children, and the elderly—form a strong intergenerational fabric. Care for the elderly is paramount, and there is a profound respect for coexistence with wildlife, as green corridors are developed to protect wild animals and prevent accidents along the roads.”

The illustration of the rural vision of RURACTIVE Dynamo Gotland, Sweden

Dynamo Gotland, Sweden: “Among others, our vision is to enable the possibility of living in rural areas with access to work, schools, leisure, and services nearby and reduce the need for long-distance travel and preserve the reasons for living in the countryside, such as peace, culture, and nature. This includes the development of sustainable transport solutions, such as small-scale public transportation, electric and fossil-free vehicles as well as electrified, driverless trains and collective taxis adapted to needs, especially for commuting and medical trips."

Alongside the elaboration of their visions, the Dynamos also identified the most pressing local challenges that should be addressed through the solutions to be developed within RURACTIVE. These will be further developed by either external innovators responding to the Open Call to be launched during November 2024 or local stakeholders during upcoming workshops.

Soon we will share the identified challenges as part of the Open Call launch and will share more about the further developments in the different Dynamos.