RUSTIK Regional Dissemination Event in the UK: Creating Sustainable Rural Futures Through Data and Tools

The RUSTIK Regional Dissemination Event in the UK will take place on Thursday, 20 November 2025, from 13:00 to 16:30 GMT at the historic Blackfriars Priory in Gloucester.

This half-day event, titled “Creating Sustainable Rural Futures through New Data and Tools,” will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders to explore how innovative data approaches and participatory mapping can inform more resilient and inclusive rural strategies.

 

Event Highlights

The afternoon will open with a welcome and introduction by Professor Matthew Reed, Director of the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) and Head of Research at the University of Gloucestershire. His remarks will set the tone for a dynamic discussion on rural sustainability, grounded in regional and European perspectives.

Participants will then hear an overview of work from the UK Living Labs, presented by the RUSTIK and GRANULAR project teams. Confirmed speakers include:

A panel discussion will follow, exploring the role of spatial data and mapping tools in strengthening community engagement and shaping effective local policy.
Panellists include:

After a short coffee break, a series of lightning talks will highlight innovative approaches to using local data in rural policy development. Presenters include Michael Woods (Aberystwyth University) and Scott Orford (Cardiff University).

The afternoon will continue with facilitated group discussions, inviting participants to share their insights and ideas on the future use of local data for sustainable rural policies. The event will close with a plenary session, gathering key takeaways and reflections, led by the RUSTIK UK team.

 

Why Attend

This event offers a valuable platform to:

  • Discover how data-driven tools and participatory methods are reshaping rural development.
  • Exchange knowledge and experiences across research, policy, and practice.
  • Contribute to ongoing discussions on evidence-based, locally grounded strategies for rural sustainability.

Attendees can expect lively debate, hands-on insights, and new connections to support rural innovation in the UK and across Europe.

 

Building on Previous Regional Workshops

This UK dissemination event builds on the success of previous RUSTIK regional workshops, including recent sessions in Galicia, which focused on multi-actor approaches to rural sustainability, and earlier discussions on innovative responses to rural demographic shifts, in Finland.

Together, these events highlight the growing importance of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and adaptive, data-informed strategies in shaping the future of rural regions.

 

Check the AGENDA!

 

RUSTIK Project Meeting in Cheltenham: Advancing Insights for Europe’s Rural Future

The upcoming RUSTIK project meeting in Cheltenham, UK, will bring together partners from across Europe to advance the project’s understanding of rural transformation. The main focus of the meeting will lie in the thematic workshops established as part of Work Package 5 (WP5): Refined Understanding of Rural Dynamics, Impact Assessment, and Conclusions.

These workshops represent a key step in connecting findings from across RUSTIK’s Living Labs, refining insights, and co-developing recommendations that can strengthen the resilience and sustainability of Europe’s rural regions.

Each thematic workshop will bring together a dedicated group of Living Labs, each assigned based on their core expertise and regional context.

Core Themes of the Cheltenham Workshops
  1. Socio-economic vitality and rural businesses
    Discussions will explore strategies to reinforce rural business ecosystems, enhance local innovation, and build socio-economic resilience in the face of ongoing transitions. For the “Socio-economic vitality – Strengthening Rural Businesses” workshop, the assigned Living Labs are Mazowieckie and Świętokrzyskie in Poland,  and Nockregion – Oberkärnten, Austria, each known for proactive support of rural enterprises and rural economic development.
  1. Environmental and institutional transition
    Sessions will focus on climate adaptation, sustainable resource management, and the role of data-driven development in supporting greener and smarter rural futures. The Environmental and Institutional Transition – Land Use, Natural Resources & Data Tools workshop will feature the Living Labs from Parma, Piacenza & Ferrara (Italy), Galicia (Spain), Osona (Spain), and Gloucestershire (United Kingdom) as the main contributors. These regions are recognized for pioneering efforts in landscape management, innovative data usage, and integrated territorial governance.
  1. Sustainable food and forestry systems
    Participants will share best practices and explore collaborative approaches for ensuring robust, sustainable food production and forestry management. For the Socio-economic Vitality – Sustainable Food/Forestry Systems workshop, the assigned Living Labs are Troyan-Apriltsi-Ugаrchin (Bulgaria), Garfagnana (Italy), and Zaječar District (Serbia). Each of these regions brings significant experience in enhancing rural food production systems, supporting agri-food value chains, and promoting forestry innovation.
  1. Social cohesion and inclusion
    Workshops will address how to foster equality, social inclusion, and thriving communities as essential pillars of sustainable rural development. The Social Cohesion – Stimulating Social Inclusion workshop will be led by the Living Labs from Rhein-Hunsrück (Germany), Osrednjeslovenska regija (Central Slovenia), North Karelia (Finland), and Monmouthshire (United Kingdom). These regions each bring extensive experience in fostering inclusive rural communities, developing vibrant networks, and supporting diverse social initiatives.

These discussions build on the foundations of WP1 Conceptualising functional rural areas, transition and resilience of rural areas and the latest findings from 14 Living Labs, with the aim of synthesizing key lessons and translating them into concrete recommendations for rural policy and practice. The workshops are part of Task 5.1, led by BAB, in close collaboration with partners and Living Lab teams.

Beyond the Workshops: A Rich Programme of Activities

While the workshops form the heart of the meeting, several complementary activities will offer valuable opportunities for learning, reflection, and collaboration.

  • Work Package Coordination Meetings: Dedicated sessions for WP and task leads will support strategic alignment and ensure coherence across the project’s workstreams.
  • Site Visits to Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire: Participants will have the chance to visit these two Living Lab regions, gaining first-hand insights into local rural dynamics, challenges, and innovative practices driving regional transformation.

The outcomes of the Cheltenham meeting will play a crucial role in shaping RUSTIK’s scientific outputs and final European-wide seminar. Insights gained will inform transition pathways and generate actionable recommendations for strengthening rural resilience, sustainability, and inclusion across Europe.

As the RUSTIK community gathers in Cheltenham, this meeting promises to be a catalyst for collaboration — advancing shared understanding and contributing to the vibrant future of Europe’s rural regions.