MAIN GOAL “Developing methodologies and tools to catalyse rural regions so that they could become leading innovators and policy contributors of the European transition towards overcoming the systemic crisis; training potential catalysts through the development of practical and educational resources, an educational platform and a community of rural resilience practitioners at the European level.” SPECIFIC CROSS-CUTTING OBJECTIVES 1. COMMUNITY RESILIENCE AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT To establish a transversal and intercultural dialogue that evolves the democratic processes in our rural territories. 2. SUSTAINABLE AND REGENERATIVE DEVELOPMENT To teach new ways of understanding and planning for rural bioregions 3. SOCIAL AND SOLIDARITY ECONOMY To promote collective entrepreneurship through social technology in rural areas 4. EUROPEAN RURALITY, AS NATURAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE To create a broad and diverse learning community of rural practitioners and researchers who share experiences and solutions to common problems
CONTEXT & MOTIVATION We are living historic times that define the new normality as volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. From this complex and dynamic situation urgent needs emerge: the need for a more just, equitable and resilient society. When combined with (1) the availability of high quality learning, (2) an increasing civic engagement and participative democracy, (3) co-created policies for community resilience and social and solidarity economy, we postulate that rural territories can become a leverage point for change in the cities, providing a healthy and sustainable food supply, and prototyping social, economic and ecological innovation, while establishing diverse, sovereign and mutually supportive regions. TARGET GROUPS: 1. YOUTH & ADULT COMMUNITY MEMBERS - Innovative learning opportunities - Gain the competences to be more resilient - Helping their community as a whole 2. COMMUNITY EDUCATORS - High quality resources to facilitate learning environments 3. PUBLIC & PRIVATE TECHNICIANS and POLICY MAKERS - Innovative learning opportunities, embedded in a networked learning environment - Gain the skills and competences to carry out their specialist work