Introducing the RUSTIK Viewer Handbook

Rural areas across Europe are undergoing profound social, economic, environmental and digital transitions. Yet, these changes are often hidden behind averages and national statistics, making it hard for policymakers, researchers and local actors to truly see what is happening on the ground. That is precisely the gap the RUSTIK Data Viewer and the new RUSTIK Viewer Handbook aim to fill.



What is the RUSTIK Data Viewer?


The RUSTIK Data Viewer is an online, interactive mapping platform that brings together a wide range of territorial indicators on rural Europe. It allows users to visualise and analyse:


    

  • Socioeconomic dynamics such as population change, depopulation, social inclusion, access to services, employment and education.
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  • Environmental transition including climate risks (wildfires, droughts, heavy precipitation), land cover and land use, natural resources, protected areas and air quality.
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  • Digital transition through indicators on connectivity and digital infrastructure.
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  • Local experimentation with data from 14 RUSTIK Living Labs, where rural communities co-create knowledge and test new approaches.
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The Viewer combines harmonised European datasets (e.g. from EU statistical and environmental agencies) with more granular local information, enabling comparisons between regions as well as deep dives into specific territories.




What does the Viewer Handbook offer?


The newly released RUSTIK Viewer Handbook is a practical companion designed to help users get the most out of the platform. It serves several purposes:


    

  • Onboarding new users: It explains the overall structure of the RUSTIK Data Viewer, its main components, and the types of indicators available.
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  • Guided exploration: It walks through the different thematic areas (socioeconomic, environmental, digital and Living Labs) and shows how to navigate maps, layers and territorial units.
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  • Interpretation support: It describes what each group of indicators tells us about rural transitions—for example, how to read demographic trends, what “service deserts” look like on a map, or how climate projections can inform local adaptation strategies.
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  • Technical transparency: It details how the system is built (spatial database, map server, web viewer, security) and which reference datasets are integrated, helping users understand the robustness and limitations of the data they use.
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Whether you are a local authority wanting to diagnose challenges in your territory, a researcher comparing regions, or an innovation actor working in a Living Lab, the handbook is designed as a bridge between complex data infrastructure and practical, real-world questions.




Why this matters for rural policy and practice


Rural territories face intertwined challenges: aging populations and outmigration, unequal access to services, exposure to climate risks, pressure on ecosystems, and gaps in digital connectivity. At the same time, they hold crucial assets for Europe’s future: food production, biodiversity, renewable energy and cultural heritage.


The RUSTIK Data Viewer helps make these realities visible by:


    

  • Revealing spatial inequalities that national averages can hide.
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  • Allowing users to combine different dimensions (e.g. demographics, services and mobility) in the same analysis.
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  • Supporting evidence-based decision-making, from strategic planning and funding applications to monitoring the impact of policies over time.
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The Viewer Handbook turns this potential into something accessible: a clear, structured guide that shows where to start, which indicators to use for which questions, and how to interpret what appears on the map.




Who is the handbook for?


The guide is especially useful for:


    

  • Local and regional administrations working on rural development, cohesion policy, climate adaptation, or service planning.
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  • Researchers and analysts interested in territorial data, sustainability transitions and rural inequalities.
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  • Living Lab partners and practitioners who need to connect local insights with broader European trends.
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  • Civil society organisations looking for robust, visual evidence to inform advocacy and community projects.
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If you work with rural territories and need to ground your decisions in data, the combination of the RUSTIK Data Viewer and the Viewer Handbook is designed for you.


       
Local cheese producers and Hotel Sunce agree on trial supply partnership
A Living Lab meeting under the RUSTIK project brings together dairy producers from the Municipality of Boljevac and Sokobanja’s flagship hotel to shorten the farm-to-table chain.


On 27 April 2026, Hotel Sunce in Sokobanja hosted a Living Lab meeting organized by RARIS (the Regional Development Agency for Eastern Serbia) and the Municipality of Boljevac. The gathering brought together dairy farmers and cheese producers from the Boljevac area and representatives of Hotel Sunce — one of the most prominent hotels in the Sokobanja tourist destination.


The meeting was convened to address a well-documented gap in local food supply chains: despite the richness of the region’s agricultural output, locally produced goods remain underrepresented in the menus and offerings of tourist facilities. A group of family farms and dairy company attended, each presenting product samples directly to Hotel Sunce’s management team.


The session concluded with a concrete agreement: Hotel Sunce will purchase trial quantities across the full range of products offered by the participating producers. Based on guest feedback received during this pilot phase, the Hotel intends to move to regular orders from local suppliers.


 








Research background


This meeting is a direct practical outcome of data experiment carried out under the RUSTIK project to improve short food supply chains in the region. In Sokobanja and Boljevac, researchers interviewed 37 restaurants, hotels, and rural tourism households, 29 agricultural holdings, and 12 small and medium-sized agri-food businesses. A key finding was that local products are insufficiently present in the tourist offering — a gap this partnership now directly begins to close.


“With today’s concrete agreements, we are creating the conditions for a stronger connection between tourism and agriculture.” — RARIS / RUSTIK project team.







         
RUSTIK at the XXI European Rural Development Network Conference: Advancing Rural Sustainability Through Living Labs
From September 23 to 25, 2025, the vibrant city of Bucharest, Romania, will host the XXI European Rural Development Network (ERDN) Conference on the theme “Food systems transition for sustainable rural development.” This event will bring together experts, researchers, policymakers, and project leaders from across Europe, all united by the goal of fostering resilient and sustainable rural futures.


RUSTIK is proud to participate with a poster presentation titled: “Facilitating transition to a resilient and sustainable future of rural areas through Living Labs: The example of the Austrian Living Lab Nockregion-Oberkärnten.” The presentation will be delivered by Ingrid Machold from the Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research (BAB), Vienna.


The Austrian Living Lab Nockregion-Oberkärnten focuses on the socio-economic transition challenges faced by small rural businesses (SRBs) — those with fewer than 50 employees — which represent 99% of businesses in the region. These SRBs are the backbone of the local economy, providing diverse services and employment opportunities critical for regional vitality.


The Living Lab’s core objective is to enhance the visibility and influence of SRBs in regional decision-making, strengthening their role as key drivers of sustainable development. The process unfolds in three iterative cycles that align research priorities with practical needs, define and implement data experiments, and translate findings into actionable strategies, policy designs, and development initiatives.


What to Expect at the Conference


The ERDN conference will offer a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, featuring thematic sessions with presentations followed by open debates moderated by experts. RUSTIK’s contribution to the session on rural transitions will enrich discussions on how innovative, data-informed approaches can accelerate rural resilience.


The conference will also foster collaboration across Horizon Europe projects, with panel discussions on critical topics such as the Rural Pact, sustainable food systems, and land governance. These dialogues will emphasize the need for integrated policies and community engagement to meet the ambitious vision of resilient rural areas by 2040.


Participants will also enjoy networking opportunities during traditional Romanian social events, strengthening bonds within the rural development community.


Looking Ahead


RUSTIK’s participation in the ERDN Conference will highlight the importance of Living Labs as catalysts for sustainable rural transformation. By sharing the Austrian experience, RUSTIK will contribute valuable lessons on supporting small rural businesses and enabling inclusive, place-based innovation.


As the project progresses, the insights gathered at this event will feed into RUSTIK’s ongoing efforts to shape policies and initiatives that ensure vibrant, resilient rural futures across Europe.


       
Съвместни усилия на живите лаборатории на RUSTIK на Балканския полуостров
Collaborative Efforts of RUSTIK Living Labs on the Balkan Peninsula
“Живите лаборатории” на RUSTIK вече активно провеждат своите експерименти с данни, като търсят начини за осигуряване на нови данни, идентифициране на нови източници и проучването им чрез иновативни методи. Експериментите имат за цел да помогнат на селските райони да се справят по-добре с ключовите преходи и предизвикателства, които преживяват.


    

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    Съвместни усилия на живите лаборатории на RUSTIK на Балканския полуостров
    

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Две от лабораториите на RUSTIK – Zajechar и Троян-Априлци-Угърчин (ТАУ), които се намират на Балканския полуостров, но от двете страни на сръбско-българската граница, идентифицираха за изследване общо предизвикателство – неизползвания потенциал за сътрудничество между участниците в хранително-вкусовата промишленост като ресурс за териториално развитие.


За да се запознаят по-добре с двете територии и с начина на провеждане на сравнителен експеримент с данни, членовете на двете МИГ, а именно RARIS – Агенцията за регионално развитие на Източна Сърбия и Департамента по аграрна икономика към Аграрният факултет на Белградския университет, Местната инициативна група Троян-Априлци-Угърчин и Катедрата по социология на Софийския университет “Свети Климент Охридски”, организираха среща, домакинствана от сръбските партньори.




По време на срещата двамата регионални партньори представиха основните си социално-икономически предизвикателства с акцент върху участниците и политиките, свързани с храните. Бяха обсъдени идентифицираните източници на данни, както и инструментите за събиране на данни (въпросници и ръководства за интервюта). Бяха обсъдени идеи и материали за по-нататъшно концептуализиране на идентифицираните данни, като например анализ на социалните мрежи за сътрудничество по късите вериги за доставка на храни.


Двете лаборатории решиха да събират набори от сравними данни, да проучат сходни източници на данни и да се съсредоточат върху сходни целеви групи при провеждането на експериментите си. Целта е да се идентифицират общите и различните аспекти на “балканския синдром” на неизследвания потенциал за сътрудничество между актьорите в агро-хранителните вериги.


RARIS и МИГ ТАУ представиха териториалните инструменти, които използват за подкрепа на местните участници, като например регионалната марка Balcanica Superior, действаща в Източна Сърбия, както и различни проекти, свързани с храните, разработени на територията на МИГ ТАУ.  Двамата регионални партньора – МИГ ТАУ и RARIS разчитат на проект РУСТИК да опознаят по-добре териториите си чрез данни и така да успеят да насочат подкрепа към местните участници в селските райони, които имат принос за подобряване работата на местните агро-хранителните вериги. Двамата партньори изразиха задоволство от това, че вече научат повече за своите територии, че вземат по-информирани решения и по-сигурно и широко използват данни, за да са по-ефективни в работата си.




          
Driving Sustainable Transitions: The Living Lab of Sant Miquel de Balenyà
Nestled in Seva municipality, Sant Miquel de Balenyà, with its modest population of 1,353, plays a pivotal role in Osona County‘s socio-economic and environmental shifts. This vibrant community, strategically located between Montseny and Plana de Vic, boasts a robust agri-industrial sector and participates actively in the RUSTIK project to tackle local challenges. 


Focus on Socio-Economic and Environmental Shifts 


Sant Miquel de Balenyà is witnessing dynamic demographic changes due to its strategic location and connectivity to major cities like Barcelona, Vic, and Granollers. Factories attract a workforce often exceeding the number of residents, and many secondary residences have become primary homes post-COVID-19. The town is also committed to green energy, with public buildings using wood chips from Montseny forests for boilers and the private sector investing in solar panels. However, water availability remains a critical issue requiring proactive management. 


Living Lab Challenge: Enhancing Quality of Life 


The Living Lab in Sant Miquel de Balenyà aims to improve the quality of life through social cohesion, equity, climate resilience, and balanced socio-economic competitiveness. The challenge is to refine territorial and urban planning to better address demographic shifts, the urban-industrial interface, and future infrastructural changes, with active citizen participation. 


Rationale and Challenges 


Despite its small size, Sant Miquel de Balenyà has a complex territorial pattern. An industrial area with over 30 industries lies close to residential zones. The construction of a bypass road to redirect heavy traffic away from the main street presents opportunities and risks, potentially impacting local businesses. 


Knowledge to Date and Policy Relevance 


The Living Lab’s foundation lies in existing planning documents like the Seva Urban Master Plan (POUM) and the Partial Territorial Plan of the Central Counties. Efforts are underway to advocate for policy changes granting EMDs the capability to approve modifications to Urban Master Plans, benefiting Sant Miquel de Balenyà and similar entities. 


Research Questions and Emerging Data Needs 


    

  • How can improvements in territorial and urban planning enhance social cohesion, equity, and quality of life? 
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  • What measures can bolster community resilience to climate-related challenges? 
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  • How can socio-economic competitiveness be balanced with social equity and inclusivity? 
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  • What strategies can effectively engage the community in decision-making processes? 
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To address these questions, detailed demographic, socio-economic, environmental, and mobility data are needed. Current data scarcity at the EMD scale poses a significant challenge, necessitating extensive fieldwork and community involvement in data collection. 


Capacities and Limitations 


While data scarcity is a primary limitation, the small geographic scale facilitates detailed fieldwork and community engagement. Existing data on land use, urban master plans, and energy efficiency certificates provide a foundational understanding. Innovative approaches, such as exploring big data sources and unconventional data collection methods, demonstrate adaptability in overcoming data gaps. 


Sant Miquel de Balenyà, with its vibrant industrial sector and dynamic population growth, is at the forefront of socio-economic and environmental transitions in Osona. Through the RUSTIK project, the town aims to address these challenges holistically, leveraging community involvement and innovative data collection methods. The ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of life for its residents, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future. 


 


     
The Sant Miquel de Balenyà EMD launches a survey to assess citizens’ perception of quality of life in the town
On May 15th, as part of the European Commission‘s RUSTIK project, the EMD of Sant Miquel de Balenyà launched a survey on the town’s quality of life and created various participation channels for citizens.


Understanding the perception of public spaces, the use of local commerce, citizen participation, and the use of facilities, among other elements, is crucial to measuring social well-being.


Data collection is being carried out using the Maptionnaire tool, which facilitates the collection of georeferenced data on cartography and its subsequent analysis with geographic tools.


To reach the maximum population of Sant Miquel de Balenyà, a set of actions was already conducted in June at the school and with the town’s senior citizen groups, to include their voices in the participatory process.


The survey is expected to conclude at the end of July 2024 with a street event during the town’s Festa Major.


Based on a series of indicators divided into three major blocks, the aim is to arrive at a quality-of-life index to evaluate the impact of public services and investment projects in the town. The survey design and analysis are carried out jointly with the ERSILIA Foundation, a member of the RUSTIK project.


The first results of the quality of life survey will be published in September 2024 in Gallaret, the town’s magazine published by the EMD, where the results of the RUSTIK project are also being published.


 




    
Fostering Social Inclusion and Tackling Food Waste in Slovenia’s Osrednjeslovenska Region
The Osrednjeslovenska region in Slovenia, with 25 municipalities and nine urban settlements, faces diverse challenges despite being densely populated. While some areas have well-developed central functions, others lack essential services, impacting living standards and increasing traffic congestion.


The Rustik Living Lab (LL) in Slovenia targets food loss and waste (FLW) and its connection to social inclusion and entrepreneurship. These issues were chosen for their societal relevance and to leverage partners’ strengths. The LL aims to address data gaps regarding rural poverty, access to food, and subjective quality of life.


Living Lab Challenge


The LL aims to link partners’ expertise in FLW and social inclusion to address the real-time acquisition of excess food and its redistribution to underprivileged rural segments. By assessing the impact on subjective well-being, the LL seeks to explore how social innovation in FLW management can improve the quality of life in vulnerable rural communities.


Rationale


The chosen challenge reflects societal importance and partner expertise, focusing on dignity and social inclusion. Poverty, social exclusion, and limited access to quality food are more pronounced in rural areas. Urban areas may contribute significantly to FLW, presenting an opportunity for mutually beneficial relationships.


Data on FLW are often outdated, while information on social exclusion in rural areas is limited. Current estimates suggest around 10% of people are at risk of poverty in the region. Examining subjective well-being and social inclusion requires new approaches and social innovation.


Policy Relevance


Policy measures to mitigate poverty and FLW can benefit from concrete data on FLW prevention and subjective well-being improvement. Improved well-being could address other policy issues like rural out-migration and limited access to services. The LL aims to develop replicable good practices for policy implementation.


Research Questions


    

  • How can excess food be provided to those in need while preserving dignity and promoting social inclusion?
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  • What is the relationship between food, access to food, and subjective well-being, and how can it be measured?
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Data gaps exist in real-time information on excess food availability and the needs of rural communities. Acquiring sensitive data ethically and ensuring confidentiality pose challenges.


Emerging software solutions offer insights into food waste mitigation. Consultations with institutions working with marginalized groups will explore ways to reach individuals in need while protecting confidentiality and dignity.


The Rustik Living Lab in Slovenia addresses pressing societal issues by tackling FLW and promoting social inclusion. By leveraging data and social innovation, the LL aims to create replicable good practices that inform policy and improve the well-being of rural communities.


       
Enhancing Rural Development in Serbia’s Zaječar District: Focus on Short Food Supply Chains and Tourism
Map of the Living Lab in Zaječar District
The Zaječar district, in eastern Serbia, encompasses four municipalities with around 97,000 inhabitants. Despite distinct economic dynamics, they share challenges like lower wages, fewer employees, and higher aging rates compared to the national average. The district’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, the processing industry, and services, with significant potential for tourism development.


Economic and Demographic Challenges


The primary challenge is demographic decline, which negatively impacts rural communities, the economy, and natural resources. The Rustik Living Lab (LL) aims to restructure the economy towards high-value activities and labor-intensive services, focusing on tourism and establishing short food supply chains (SFSC).


The LL seeks to integrate the agricultural sector into tourism, benefiting local communities and small businesses. The current challenge is the low representation of local producers in meeting tourist market demands, leading to product sourcing from other regions. By collecting field data, the LL aims to enable evidence-based decision-making, policy development, and improved supply chain coordination.


Strategy Alignment


This initiative aligns with the “Strategy for the Development of the Urban Area of the City of Zaječar and the Municipalities of Knjaževac, Boljevac, and Sokobanja,” aiming to enhance business infrastructure, promote innovation, and establish value chains. RARIS, a key tourism development actor, will benefit from new data, improving decision-making and policy evaluation.


The region’s agriculture is dominated by small family farms focused on cattle, fruit, and grape production. Traditional sectors like meat and dairy are in decline. Focus groups identified supply chain problems, including insufficient trust among partners and lack of stable business relationships.


Policy Relevance


Addressing SFSC in agricultural policy and tourism development is crucial. As Serbia aligns its policies with the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), integrating SFSC ensures compliance and addresses local challenges. Promoting local gastronomic identity through SFSC can boost economic growth and enhance tourism.


Research Questions


    

  • What is the market potential for local sourcing in the Zaječar district tourism food supply chain?
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  • Which products should be prioritized for local sourcing?
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  • How can networking within SFSC enhance local agriculture and tourism integration?
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  • What changes are needed to make SFSC more sustainable and competitive?
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There is a lack of comprehensive data on food supply chain participants, their capacities, and tourist demand for local food. The LL will review municipal databases and conduct surveys to gather necessary data.


The Zaječar district’s focus on developing SFSC and integrating them with tourism presents a significant opportunity for rural development. By addressing existing challenges and leveraging new data, the Rustik Living Lab aims to create a sustainable local food system that enhances economic growth and tourism.


     
Enhancing Rural Development through Innovative Data Experiments: Collaborative Efforts of RUSTIK Living Labs on the Balkan Peninsula
Collaborative Efforts of RUSTIK Living Labs on the Balkan Peninsula
The RUSTIK Living Labs (LLs) are now actively conducting their data experiments, looking at how to provide new data, identify new sources and explore them using innovative methods. The experiments aim to help rural areas better manage key transitions and challenges they are experiencing.


Collaborative Efforts of RUSTIK Living Labs on the Balkan Peninsula


Two of the RUSTIK laboratories – Zajechar and Troyan-Aprilsti-Ugarchin (TAU), both located on the Balkan Peninsula but on either side of the Serbo-Bulgarian border, have identified a similar transitional challenge – the unexplored potential for cooperation between food-related actors as a resource for territorial development.


In order to get to know both territories better and how to conduct a comparative data experiment, the members of the two LLs, namely RARIS – Regional Development Agency Eastern Serbia and the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade and Local Action Group Troyan-Apriltsi-Ugarchin and the Department of Sociology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, organised a meeting hosted by Serbian partners.


During the meeting, both LLs presented their key socio-economic challenges with a focus on food-related actors and policies. Identified data sources were discussed together with instruments for data collection (questionnaires and interview guides). Ideas and materials for further conceptualisation of the identified data were discussed, such as social network analysis of short food supply chain collaborations.


Both laboratories have decided to obtain comparable data sets, explore similar data sources and focus on similar target groups when conducting their experiments. The aim is to identify common and different aspects of the ‘Balkan syndrome’ of unexplored potential for collaboration.


RARIS and LAG TAU have presented territorial instruments they use to support local actors, such as the regional brand Balcanica Superior operating in Eastern Serbia and various food-related projects developed on the TAU territory. Both RUSTIK LLs therefore expect to support local actors in rural areas, both public and private, collective and individual, business and policy makers, to learn more about their territories, make better informed decisions and adopt data-driven solutions.




          
Unlocking the Potential of Rural Tourism in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship
Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship embraces tourism as a beacon of hope amidst demographic challenges. From industrial vigor to rustic allure, join us on a journey of renewal and regeneration.
The Świętokrzyskie region, nestled in the heart of Poland, boasts a unique blend of industrial vigor in the north and rustic charm in the south. Encompassing vast expanses of land and numerous protected areas, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship offers an enticing mix of environmental splendor and cultural heritage. However, amidst its scenic beauty lies a socio-economic challenge that demands attention and strategic intervention.


The foremost concern facing the region is the adverse demographic trends plaguing its rural areas. Migration outflows, an aging populace, and dwindling birth rates have collectively contributed to a significant decline in population over the past two decades. The exodus of young residents, coupled with a burgeoning elderly demographic, paints a stark picture of the region’s demographic dilemma.


Recognizing the urgency of this issue, stakeholders have identified rural tourism as a potential catalyst for positive change. Tourism, with its promise of economic diversification and job creation, emerges as a beacon of hope amidst demographic gloom. By leveraging the region’s untapped tourism resources, stakeholders aim to not only arrest but reverse the tide of negative demographic trends.


The strategic roadmap for rural tourism development in Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship is underpinned by a holistic approach aimed at enhancing the region’s attractiveness, particularly among the younger populace. Initiatives to improve overall quality of life, bolster employment opportunities, and enhance access to essential services and cultural amenities are pivotal in this endeavor. Creating an environment conducive to attracting and retaining new residents is paramount to the region’s revitalization.


The Living Lab Challenge serves as a crucible for innovation, envisioning rural tourism as a transformative force capable of reshaping the region’s socio-economic landscape. By fostering the development of tourism infrastructure and promoting collaboration networks, the initiative seeks to elevate the region’s profile as a premier tourist destination. Moreover, through targeted marketing efforts and brand-building exercises, stakeholders aim to spotlight the myriad attractions of rural Świętokrzyskie.


Central to this initiative is the gathering of pertinent data to inform decision-making and guide policy formulation. While existing knowledge on rural tourism in the region remains scant, efforts are underway to conduct comprehensive research and data collection. Through social surveys, interviews, and meticulous inventorying of agritourism facilities, stakeholders endeavor to glean invaluable insights into tourist preferences, infrastructure needs, and the spatial distribution of resources.


In charting the course ahead, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship stands poised at a crossroads, armed with the collective resolve to harness the transformative potential of rural tourism. As the region embarks on this journey of renewal and regeneration, it does so with a steadfast commitment to shaping a brighter, more vibrant future for generations to come.