RURACTIVE Unveils New Video Highlighting Project Objectives and Anticipated Impact

RURACTIVE is a forward-thinking Horizon Europe project working to revitalise rural areas through inclusive innovation and community-driven development. The newly released project video outlines RURACTIVE’s strategic goals and the transformative impacts it seeks to achieve.

Rural areas possess immense potential to become vibrant centres of innovation, leveraging local resources, grassroots initiatives, creativity, and social inclusion. RURACTIVE is dedicated to harnessing this potential by developing and implementing innovative strategies that promote a sustainable and just transition, aligning with the European Commission's objectives and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The video further highlights RURACTIVE's mission to build strong, connected, resilient, and prosperous rural societies through the creation of Multi-Actor Rural Innovation Ecosystems (RIEs). These ecosystems bring together diverse local stakeholders, enhancing the capacity of communities to co-develop, implement, and monitor smart, place-based rural development solutions. Over the last 12 months RIEs have been established in the 12 project pilot areas across Europe, and each has been working to collaboratively design solutions that address the most pressing local challenges within core areas of rural development.

RURACTIVE’s strength lies in its local grounding, which fosters robust social networks where innovation is shaped by those who experience it firsthand. A key voice in guiding this process is Project Manager Claudia De Luca from the University of Bologna, who emphasises: "Central to RURACTIVE is the creation of strong networks with the project embedded right at the heart of local communities. By enabling and creating Multi-Actor Rural Innovation Ecosystems, we aim to empower communities to take charge of their development and drive sustainable innovation from within."

The video also highlights RURACTIVE's focus on key cross-cutting priorities that are relevant and impactful across all areas of the project. By integrating climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity, and social justice into its framework, RURACTIVE ensures the just and environmentally sustainable transition of rural areas into vibrant and inclusive centres of innovation.

For more information about RURACTIVE and to view the newly released video, please visit the RURACTIVE homepage.