RUSTIK & GRANULAR Final Conference

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The GRANULAR and RUSTIK projects are pleased to invite you to their joint Final Conference, taking place on 24–25 June 2026 at Fondation Universitaire in Brussels, Belgium.

Objectives

  • Present and discuss the key results of the GRANULAR and RUSTIK Horizon Europe projects.
  • Showcase the tools and policy recommendations developed over the past four years.
  • Share insights and experiences from the GRANULAR and RUSTIK Multi-Actor Labs / Living Labs.
  • Facilitate exchange and networking among stakeholders working on rural development and innovation.

Programme Overview

Day 1 – 24 June (13:30–18:00)
Focus on the main research findings and outputs from both projects, including local perspectives and contributions from external speakers.
The day will conclude with a networking drink.

Day 2 – 25 June (09:00–14:00)
Explore future perspectives for rural policies and present practical, on-the-ground experiences based on the projects’ impact.
The conference will close with a networking lunch.

Who should attend?

This two-day event will bring together project partners, policymakers, practitioners, and rural stakeholders interested in rural development and innovation.

Important information

Please note that participants are responsible for covering their own travel, accommodation, and subsistence costs.

Heading to Brussels? Find everything you need to plan your trip in our Participants toolkit.

Event details

  • Location: Fondation Universitaire (Rue d’Egmont 11, 1000 Brussels, Belgium)
  • Dates: 24–25 June 2026
  • Language: English

 

CHECK THE AGENDA

*Registration is now closed!

Save the Date: RUSTIK & GRANULAR Final Conference

The RUSTIK and GRANULAR projects will hold their joint Final Conference on 24–25 June 2026 at Fondation Universitaire in Brussels, Belgium.

The two-day event will bring together project partners, policymakers, practitioners and rural stakeholders to share key results and discuss future perspectives for rural development and innovation.

On the first day (24 June, 13:30–18:00), the programme will focus on presenting the main research outputs from both projects, including local perspectives and contributions from external speakers. The session will conclude with a networking drink.

The second day (25 June, 09:00–14:00) will look ahead to the future of rural policies and highlight practical, on-the-ground experiences based on the two projects impact. The conference will close with a networking lunch.

More information, including registration details and the full agenda, will be available soon. Stay tuned!

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!

 

Rural Proofing in Action: Making Policies Work for Rural Areas through Data and Earth Observation

Tuesday, 14 October 2025 |  16:00–17:30 CET | SQUARE Brussels, Rooms 213–215

As part of this year’s EU Regions Week, join us in Brussels for a high-level, interactive session on “Rural Proofing: Making Policies Work for Rural Areas through Data and Earth Observation.” This session will explore how innovative tools, Earth observation, and data-driven approaches can help tailor policies that leave no rural territory behind.

Hosted in collaboration with the GRANULAR, VALORADA, and RUSTIK projects, this event will highlight practical solutions to territorial challenges and examine how rural proofing can be better integrated into multi-level governance and policy development.

What to Expect

The session kicks off with a panel discussion featuring experts from the European Commission, OECD, and local and regional governments. They will share insights into how rural proofing is being applied across different levels of governance and how coordinated efforts can ensure fairer, more inclusive policy outcomes.

Following the panel, participants will take part in interactive peer-review discussions, engaging directly with initiatives from the GRANULAR, VALORADA, and RUSTIK projects. These real-world examples show how rural proofing has been applied to support rural communities and make policies more responsive to local needs.

It will be the opportunity to hear from two of RUSTIK living labs, with Petri Kahila, researcher at the University of eastern Finland and Karelian institute, and Francesco Mantino from the council for agricultural research and economics (CREA).

Why Attend?
  • Learn from EU and international rural policy experts.
  • Engage with cutting-edge research and projects using data and Earth observation.
  • Network with policymakers, researchers, and local leaders.
  • Contribute to shaping smarter, fairer rural development strategies.
Featured Speakers
  • Alexia Rouby – Administrator, European Commission.
  • Betty-Ann Bryce – Policy Expert, OECD.
  • Christos Moutsios – Secretary-General, Region of Central Greece.
Moderator:
  • Jack van der Hoek – Mayor, Municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland.
 Practical Details
  • Session Title: Rural Proofing: Making Policies Work for Rural Areas through Data and Earth Observation.
  • Date & Time: Tuesday, 14 October 2025 | 16:00–17:30 CET.
  • Location: Square Brussels, Rooms 213–215.
  • Format: Interactive session.
  • Language: English.
  • Theme: The Right to Stay: Unlocking the Potential of Every Territory.

Registration: Session Full – Check the EU Regions Week platform for updates

This session aligns with the European Commission’s long-term vision for rural areas and reinforces the right of all citizens to live, work, and thrive in the territory of their choice.

We look forward to welcoming you to a vibrant exchange of ideas and practices that can truly make a difference in rural policy.

RUSTIK Workshop on Exploring Multi-Actor Approaches to Rural Sustainability in Galicia

RUSTIK, in collaboration with the Granular and Down to Earth projects, held it second regional workshop on October 9, 2025 in Sober, Galicia (Spain). This event brought together a

wide range of participants—from researchers and practitioners to local and regional policymakers—to explore collaborative approaches to rural sustainability and development.

The workshop responds to pressing, interconnected challenges faced in Galicia and many rural areas across Europe, including depopulation, land abandonment, and increased wildfire risks. These issues require systemic responses and a stronger integration between science, community actors, and governance structures.

Focus of the Workshop:

The session explored the Living Labs and multi-actor approach as tools to support multilevel governance and evidence-based policymaking. Through structured, participatory exercises, the goal was to identify what is working, what gaps remain, and how these methodologies can meaningfully contribute to regional development strategies.

 

Field Visit: Aldea Modelo Francos de Proendos (Sober)

As part of the workshop, participants took part in a field visit to Francos de Proendos, a small village in the municipality of Sober (Lugo) designated as a “Model Village” (Aldea Modelo) by the regional government of Galicia in January 2022.

What is a “Model Village”?

The Aldea Modelo initiative, led by AGADER and the Xunta de Galicia, is designed to revive abandoned rural land, promote sustainable land use (agriculture, extensive grazing, agroforestry), and create natural firebreaks to reduce wildfire risk.

Key facts about Francos de Proendos:

  • Covers 16.81 hectares, of which 12.87 hectares are usable.
  • Includes 119 land plots belonging to 70 different owners.
  • Land is integrated into the Galician Land Bank, allowing local producers to lease it for sustainable use while owners retain ownership and receive an annual payment.
  • Target uses include extensive livestock farming, short-cycle vegetable production, and woody crops like fruit trees.

Cultural and Environmental Context

In addition to its innovative land use model, Francos de Proendos also holds rich cultural heritage, such as the Romanesque Church of Santa María de Proendos (12th century), which features reused Roman materials and 16th-century wall paintings.

Why Visit Francos de Proendos?

The field visit offered a unique opportunity to:

  • Understand how multi-actor governance and community-based land management work on the ground.
  • Explore how Living Labs can serve as real-life platforms for aligning scientific, community, and policy interests.
  • Witness practical efforts to revitalize rural areas through integrated environmental, social, and economic strategies.