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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
