Rural Rise has kicked-off!
We are thrilled to announce that Rural Rise has been selected as one of the three winning projects in the SMP-COSME-2023-RESILIENCE call, achieving an exceptional score of 93 out of 100. This ambitious initiative is set to strengthen resilience and foster the social economy in rural communities across Europe, paving the way for sustainable development and inclusive growth.
Purposes of the project
Rural Rise aims to empower rural communities through a multifaceted approach. At its core, the project seeks to boost rural social entrepreneurship by providing sustainable training and strengthening local economies. With a particular focus on youth and women, it aims to create green jobs, enhance skills development, and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
In addition, the project emphasizes policy activation and transnational cooperation. By fostering collaboration between local authorities and social economy organizations, Rural Rise adopts the New European Bauhaus approach to envision and implement social and economic regeneration in rural areas. This collaborative framework ensures that local needs are met while aligning with broader European goals.
Furthermore, Rural Rise encourages local action plans and promotes the circular economy in rural regions. Through a comprehensive dissemination strategy, the project will share its findings and best practices at both national and European levels, working in close partnership with various European actors to maximize its impact.
Upcoming activities
The Rural Rise partnership has already made significant progress. Over the past few months, Diesis Network led a comprehensive desk research effort to map opportunities for green job creation, lifelong learning, and upskilling for young people in rural areas. This research highlights 12 inspiring best practices, and the full report will soon be released. Stay tuned for updates on the official project website!
Looking ahead, the project will host a series of Capacity Building Labs across Europe. The first of these events will take place in Miglionico, Italy, on May 21 and 22, 2025. A call for participants will be launched in March 2025, inviting 8 participants each from Italy, Serbia, and Spain. This event will be a key opportunity for knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Later in October 2025 and throughout 2026, three additional Capacity Building Labs will be held in Palilula, Niš (Serbia), Valdefuentes (Spain), and Brussels (Belgium). These events will further strengthen the project’s transnational cooperation and ensure the dissemination of its outcomes. Be sure to follow the official project website to stay informed about these exciting opportunities.
Link to apply: bit.ly/ruralrise1
The project’s partners
Rural Rise is led by a dynamic European consortium, bringing together expertise from across the continent. The partnership includes Materahub and Miglionico from Italy, Diesis Network from Belgium, Young Ambassadors and Palilula (Niš) from Serbia, and Wazo Coop and Valdefuentes from Spain. Together, these organizations are committed to driving social and economic transformation in rural communities, ensuring that the benefits of the project reach those who need them most.
Through its innovative approach and collaborative spirit, Rural Rise is poised to make a lasting impact on rural resilience and social entrepreneurship across Europe.
