Ruralism4.EU aimed to put together organisations from 5 different countries to analyse the current situation and build an European approach for triggering the rural renaissance, moving towards green and digital transition. In order to accomplish the overall goal, specific targets have been established for a series of designated tasks: 1. Identifying and understanding of the key enabling factors and practices implemented at the European level that can drive rural revitalisation; 2. Exchanging and capitalise on the information gathered, but also on the experiences of project partners to build their capacities and enrich human and social capital through additional resources for strategic thinking, and co-design of innovative ideas/projects around a variety of areas relevant for rural development; 3. Setting the basis for a long-term partnership to deliver training activities, support rural population getting more digitised, and acquire the relevant knowledge and skills for the rural renaissance.
EU rural areas face common challenges (depopulation, ageing population, decreasing attractiveness compared to urban areas, and potential loss of economical and cultural values to be preserved) that can only be addressed by understanding the variety and complexities of factors that influence their dynamics to develop tailor-made, place-based and integrated solutions and practices to support sustainable rural growth. In order to set the conditions for the rural and marginal areas to step toward a regeneration process, it is essential to link the European efforts towards the common goal set by the Rural Pact and the EU Rural Action Plan of promoting rural renaissance to contribute the sustainable growth of the whole EU, taking full advantage of the ongoing twin transition (digital and green). The project also responded to the need of strengthening partners' works and operational capacities benefiting from peer inspiration and building synergies between projects and practices. Partners operate in five different contexts, with different yet interrelated perspectives.