Members of the RURALITIES project board gathered at the Iasi University of Life Sciences in Romania for the fourth time since the beginning of the project in October 2022. The two-day meeting held between 15-16 May 2024 was organized by the University of Life Sciences, Department of Agroeconomy, together with the Rural Development Research Platform.
Partner organizations presented the progress of their work packages over the last 6 months and discussed the challenges and plans for the upcoming period, with a focus on the methodology for social impact monitoring, improving the RURALITIES living lab network, and mechanisms for the inclusion of African partners who will participate more actively in the project’s activities from September this year.
The Institute for Development and Innovation presented multiple tasks that are mainly related to social impact monitoring, citizen science, living labs network, system thinking methodology, training activities, and multi-actor mapping and engagement strategies.
Furthermore, Institute for Development and Innovation opened and facilitated pertinent discussions on these topics. After working sessions, the hosts organized a lab tour and showcased technologies related to various industries in the rural areas of Iasi.
The five-year Horizon Europe project RURALITIES (Climate-smart, ecosystem-enhancing, and knowledge-based rural expertise and training centers) brings resources, practical solutions, and innovative methods to empower rural actors and communities, first in six pilot areas and then in the rest of the participating countries.
