The main objective of the Rural Plus project was to strengthen European rural communities in the face of the challenges of the 21st century, promoting digitalization and social inclusion through training and empowering their inhabitants. Specifically, it sought to: Improve knowledge and communication about policies and opportunities of the European Union in rural areas, training rural mentors and using language and tools adapted to the local context to bridge the gap between institutions and the rural population. Reduce the technological deficit and participatory barrier by offering quality training opportunities that empower young people and adults, facilitating their active participation in society through the use of modern technologies and communication channels. Promote the inclusion of vulnerable groups, especially young people and women, in rural socio-economic development, improving their access to education, the labor market, and services, as well as fostering their civic participation. Establish cooperative links between urban and rural areas to improve the socioeconomic system of the rural world, increasing its attractiveness as a place to live and work.
The Rural Plus project was conceived in response to the multifaceted challenges faced by rural areas in Europe, characterized by demographic decline, population aging, a lack of job opportunities and services, and an increasing technological deficit. In a context where it is anticipated that 68% of the world's population will reside in densely populated urban areas by 2050, while 29% of the EU's population already lives in rural areas, there was identified an urgent need to address these issues with innovative and inclusive solutions. The project aimed to enhance digitalization and civic participation in these communities, offering quality training opportunities that empowered both rural trainers and mentors as well as the citizens of these areas. It sought to counter the digital divide, which on average is 14% in the EU but reaches up to 23% in some Member States, with the purpose of preventing socioeconomic and political marginalization and promoting greater inclusion of young people and women in the social and economic fabric of the rural environment.