RUSTIK to Participate in the International Mountain Conference 2025 in Innsbruck

The RUSTIK project will be represented at the upcoming International Mountain Conference (IMC), taking place from 14 to 18 September 2025 in Innsbruck, Austria. The IMC is a key international forum dedicated to mountain research, bringing together scientists and practitioners from various disciplines to exchange knowledge and explore strategies for resilient and sustainable mountain development. 

RUSTIK will contribute to the conference through participation in Focus Session 3.196: “Mountain diversities for shared innovative solutions: The role of SMEs for sustainable and resilient development in mountain rural areas.” This session is convened by Ingrid Machold (BAB, Austria), with co-conveners Petya Slavova, Daria Ernst, and Nina Denisova. 

The session focuses on the role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in mountain areas, exploring how their innovative approaches contribute to local employment, economic diversification, and resilience in the face of socio-economic and environmental challenges. The session will highlight diverse examples from across Europe and stimulate discussion on how to better integrate SMEs into regional development and policy frameworks. 

RUSTIK’s contributions include three presentations: 

  • Understanding and Enhancing the Visibility and Diversity of Small Rural Businesses
    Ingrid Machold, Karin Schroll, Daria Ernst
    This presentation explores the contribution of small rural businesses (SRBs) in Austria’s Nockregion-Oberkärnten, focusing on visibility, governance inclusion, and their key role in regional development. 
  • Exploring Territorial Development in the Central Balkan Mountain Area through SMEs
    Petya Slavova, Nina Denisova
    The presentation analyses SME business models in three municipalities in Bulgaria’s Central Balkan region, offering insights into how different local contexts shape development pathways. 
  • Multifunctional Forestry in Transition: Challenges and Opportunities for Small Enterprises in MontagnAppennino
    Mirta Sutter, Brigida Marovelli, Daniele Matteucci
    This contribution presents findings from the Italian RUSTIK Living Lab, where SMEs in forestry are working to revitalise mountain economies through sustainable forest management and ecosystem services. 

Through these contributions, RUSTIK will share practical insights from its Living Labs and ongoing research activities, supporting discussions on how SMEs can foster more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient futures in Europe’s mountain regions. 

More information on the International Mountain Conference can be found at: www.imc2025.info 

Exploring Climate and Environmental Transition in Italy: Parma, Piacenza & Ferrara

Delve into the heart of Italy's tomato processing hub, where the Emilia-Romagna region hosts three provinces renowned for their pivotal role in the tomato supply chain. Italy ranks as the third-largest producer of tomatoes for processing globally, with a significant portion of this production emanating from Parma, Piacenza, and Ferrara.

Delve into the heart of Italy’s tomato processing hub, where the Emilia-Romagna region hosts three provinces renowned for their pivotal role in the tomato supply chain. Italy ranks as the third-largest producer of tomatoes for processing globally, with a significant portion of this production emanating from Parma, Piacenza, and Ferrara.

Transition Focus: Climate and Environmental Challenges

The pressing issue of water management takes center stage amidst the climate and environmental transition. Intensive agricultural activities and recurring droughts amplify the demand for water, posing a threat to the vital tomato ripening cycle. As global warming reshapes natural water patterns, the region grapples with the adverse impacts, from soil erosion to hydrogeological instability.

Living Lab Challenge

In response to these challenges, the Living Lab initiative tackles the urgency of climate change, particularly focusing on water availability and management for irrigation. With water scarcity becoming increasingly prevalent, innovative solutions are imperative to ensure sustainable agricultural practices.

Rationale

Effective water management demands comprehensive governance structures and integrated monitoring systems. Despite existing weather stations and data sources, a cohesive approach to data analysis and model development is crucial for informed decision-making and resource allocation.

Policy Relevance

The water management challenge resonates beyond the agricultural sector, necessitating holistic solutions to meet the diverse needs of stakeholders. Local institutions and the Interbranch Organization (IBO) spearhead policy initiatives to address water scarcity and ensure rational development.

Research Questions

Key inquiries revolve around the development of an integrated monitoring system for water availability and needs, as well as strategies to enhance local water management effectiveness. Balancing the demands of various stakeholders remains paramount in shaping sustainable policies.

Emerging Data Needs

Robust data collection and analysis are essential for modeling water demand and distribution, especially during dry seasons. Coordinated efforts are required to harness existing data and fill knowledge gaps to mitigate the impacts of climate change effectively.

In the pursuit of sustainable agricultural practices, Italy’s Parma, Piacenza, and Ferrara regions stand at the forefront of climate adaptation and environmental stewardship. Join us as we navigate the challenges and opportunities on the path to a resilient future.