Partners

One European project.
A network of people and organisations shaping rural futures.

The Centre for Social Innovation (ZSI) is an Austrian scientific institute, established as an association in 1988 and operational since 1990; it converted into a non-profit limited company on 1 July 2014, with the original association retained as owner. Guided by the principle that "all innovations are socially relevant," ZSI examines the social embedding and impact of innovation, supporting the design and diffusion of socially acceptable, sustainable solutions to global challenges through research, education, advisory services and network coordination. The institute is customer-, output- and outcome-oriented, methodologically robust, evidence-based, analytical and value-driven, and operates as a politically, legally and financially independent organisation. ZSI is Austria's most successful social-scientific organisation in the European Framework Programmes since FP5 and a member of Austrian Cooperative Research (acr). Its clients and funders include several European Commission DGs, the European Parliament, the Council of the EU, Austrian and German ministries, the OECD, World Bank, UNESCO and ILO.

The Polytechnic University of Viseu is a public higher education institution at the service of society, whose aims are to provide its students with high level qualification, to produce and disseminate knowledge, as well as to ensure the cultural, artistic, technological and scientific training of its students, in full accordance with international reference frameworks.

The University of Latvia consistently retains the position of the national, leading and most influential higher education institution in Latvia. In terms of the total number of students, the University of Latvia is also the largest university in the country. It is the largest comprehensive university in Latvia with a prominent standing both in the development of the entire education system and in the overall growth of the country's economy. UL has a crucial role in the development of society's academic traditions, national economy, education, environment and health protection, Latvian language and culture.

Compañía Maximalista S. Coop. is a non-profit worker cooperative based in rural south-western Spain, operating from a village of 250 inhabitants. We provide global innovation consulting services for large and medium-sized organisations, while also developing experimental sustainability technologies on our farm "La Candela", where we research climate adaptation, fire prevention, resilient crops, and smart water management. We are an active member of the Rural Pact Network, where we lead the Depopulation and Repopulation working group, contributing to the revitalisation of rural areas through social and digital innovation. Our work bridges local practice with European policy, fostering community-driven solutions for demographic and climate challenges.

Founded in 1880, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski is the oldest and prestigious higher education and research institution , recognised both nationally and internationally . The university has 16 faculties offering fundamental and applied education and research in approximately 19 scientific fields, among them social sciences and humanities, earth and natural sciences, physics and mathematics. The university fulfils its role as a leading research and educational institution by maintaining strong collaborations with public institutions and business organisations. Sofia University is also an important regional educational and research institution, attracting students and researchers from the Balkans and Eastern Europe. The Sociology department at the Faculty of Philosophy has a strong research profile, recognised by students, professionals and policymakers.

GEN Europe (Global Ecovillage Network Europe) is a European non-profit network connecting ecovillages, sustainable communities, and individuals committed to more regenerative ways of living. Through networking, training, events, and collaborative projects, the organisation supports existing communities, encourages the creation of new ones, and facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experiences across Europe. As the European regional network of the Global Ecovillage Network, GEN Europe promotes community-led initiatives, ecological sustainability, social inclusion, and participatory approaches to building more resilient and sustainable societies.

Minha Terra is a Portuguese non-profit federation representing 58 Local Development Associations that implement local development strategies across all the Portuguese rural territory, through the LEADER approach, as Local Action Groups. The organization focuses its intervention on fostering cooperation platforms, providing technical advisory and training, and conducting lobbying and research to advocate for rural communities. Its core thematic areas include economic investment in local economies—such as micro-businesses, rural tourism, and local products—as well as promoting vocational training, territorial cohesion, equality, and active citizenship

Stichting Wagenin genResearch, Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) is a research institute within Wageningen University & Research (WUR). WENR works on a healthy, sustainable and livable environment by combining applied, innovative and interdisciplinary research across key environmental domains, including soil, water, climate, biodiversity, landscapes, land use, geo-information, remote sensing, environmental risk assessment, forestry, recreation, spatial planning and governance.

The Hugo Kołłątaj University of Agriculture in Kraków is one of Poland’s leading universities specialising in agricultural, natural and environmental sciences. Its history dates back to 1890, when the Agricultural College was established at the Jagiellonian University. Today, the university offers courses in a wide range of disciplines, including those related to agriculture, forestry, food technology, environmental protection, biotechnology and spatial planning. The university also carries out scientific and research activities, collaborating with academic centres both in Poland and abroad. An important aspect of its work is the development of modern technologies, sustainable agriculture and the conservation of natural resources. By combining tradition with a modern approach, the university prepares its graduates for careers in sectors related to food, the environment, agriculture and the economy.

Diesis Network is one of the world’s leading networks dedicated to advancing the social economy, social entrepreneurship and social innovation. Founded in 1997, it brings together a diverse community of Member Organisations to strengthen democratic, people-centred economic models that prioritise social and environmental impact over profit.

The Regional Centre of Expertise Graz-Styria (RCE Graz-Styria) is the center for sustainable social transformation at the University of Graz. We are conducting inter- and transdisciplinary research projects. In this way, we develop practical answers to ecological and social challenges: locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. RCE Graz-Styria is a pioneer of transdisciplinary methods: Participatory methods such as living labs and action research are among our core competencies. We therefore cooperate with a wide range of actors: social movements, citizens’ initiatives, interest groups, companies, state institutions and NGOs. RCE Graz-Styria combines impulses for radical social innovations that come from society with excellent scientific research. We continuously focus on new topics, ideas and methods in order to do pioneering work.

Kurzeme Planning Region (KPR) is one of five planning regions in Latvia, responsible for promoting the sustainable and balanced development of the Kurzeme region. KPR works in the fields of regional and spatial planning, mobility, tourism, environmental and coastal management, social development, and regional cooperation. It cooperates closely with municipalities, national authorities, businesses, research institutions and local communities, and has extensive experience in implementing EU-funded and international cooperation projects.

The Leibniz Institute for Regional Geography (IfL) combines geographical basic research with application-oriented research and policy-related advisory work, involving local and regional partners. It analyses socio-spatial dynamics in Germany and Europe in a highly differentiated manner, with a particular focus on Central and Eastern Europe. At its core is the question of how spatial structures shape social developments while also being shaped by them – for example in the context of peripheralisation, regional transformation processes and transregional interconnections.

Centrum Kultury Gminy Ciężkowice (CKGC) is a municipal cultural institution established by the Municipality of Ciężkowice, with direct supervision exercised by the Mayor of Ciężkowice.CKGC was established by a resolution of the Ciężkowice Municipal Council on 10 October 2002. Its mission is to conduct cultural activities in the fields of culture, arts, knowledge and cultural education, as well as to preserve cultural heritage. Particular emphasis is placed on attracting and preparing audiences for active participation in the cultural life of the municipality, while meeting and developing the cultural needs of local residents.

The Austrian smallholder and mountain farmers association (Österreichische Klein- und BergbäuerInnenvereinigung) ÖBV – Via Campesina Austria is an independent advocacy organization for small-scale and mountain farmers, as well as engaged citizens across Austria. As part of the global peasant and farmworkers' movement La Via Campesina, the ÖBV advocates for a sustainable, socially just, and ecological agricultural system. At the heart of its work is the fight for food sovereignty—the right of all people to healthy, culturally appropriate food and the right of producers to shape their own agricultural and food systems. The association specifically represents the interests of smaller and mountain farms, promotes generational renewal, and opposes agro-corporations, the decline of small farms, and climate-damaging agricultural policies. Through education, networking, campaigns, and political action, the ÖBV strengthens farmers' rights, supports regional food networks, and drives the socio-ecological transformation of the food system.

The Department of Cultural Heritage and Environment (BAC) at the University of Milan is an interdisciplinary academic community whose research and teaching address cultural and environmental heritage and the human behaviours associated with them. Its activities span four main areas: human geography and social, environmental and cultural psychology; archaeology; art history; and music and performing arts. Through national and international collaborations, the Department integrates humanities and social-science perspectives to investigate the relationships between people, places, environments and cultural resources. Within this framework, its expertise in human geography, population studies and socio-environmental processes provides a strong basis for research on territorial change, community dynamics and sustainability. This interdisciplinary profile supports the Department’s contribution to RUDI, particularly in understanding demographic and climate-related challenges in rural areas and in developing evidence-based, participatory approaches to rural innovation.

Plattform eV

Stoynova Koleva Mariyana (MK Farm)

Ture Nirvane Società Cooperativa Sociale di Comunità