RUSTIK at the 4th European Rural Geographies Conference

The 4th European Rural Geographies Conference took place in Porto, Portugal from 22 to 26 June 2026, hosted by the University of Porto under the theme “Reinventing Rural Spaces: Resilience, Innovation and Sustainability in a Changing World”. The event brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from across Europe to exchange knowledge on the futures of rural territories.

RUSTIK contributed to this year’s programme with two posters and one oral presentation, reflecting the project’s work across social inclusion, transdisciplinary methods, and digital innovation in rural areas.

 

Two Posters, Two Perspectives

The poster session featured two RUSTIK contributions, from the Institute for Rural Development Research (IfLS), the institution that coordinates the RUSTIK project.

Poster 1 — Comparing Social Inclusion Challenges in Rural Europe

“Comparing Social Inclusion Challenges in Rural Europe: Insights from Four RUSTIK Living Labs”,by Svea Thietje, Sarah Peter, and Carla Wember (IfLS).

Social and spatial inequalities increasingly shape rural development across Europe, yet their manifestations remain highly context-specific and are often poorly captured by existing data. Rural regions face challenges such as demographic change, limited services, and uneven development opportunities. The perspectives of under-represented groups are frequently missing from policy processes, highlighting the need for more participatory forms of knowledge production. Drawing on four RUSTIK Living Labs, this poster compares how different regions approach social inclusion challenges and explores what participatory methods can contribute to policy and practice.

Poster 2 — Knowledge through Transdisciplinary Methods

“Integrating System, Target and Transformation Knowledge through Transdisciplinary Methods: Insights from 14 Rural Living Labs in Europe” by Simone Sterly, and Carla Wember (IfLS).

This poster takes a project-wide perspective, presenting findings from all 14 RUSTIK Living Labs operating across 14 Pilot Regions in 10 European countries. It documents how Living Labs have experimented with new data collection and analysis tools, developed policy panoramas and transition narratives, built Theories of Change, and tested Decentralised Rural Proofing to address their specific transition challenges. The Integrating System, Target and Transformation framework is presented as a methodological contribution for structuring and advancing rural sustainability transitions.

 

Oral Presentation — Digital Innovation in Rural Areas

On 23 June, RUSTIK also featured in the oral session PS 3.6 · Changes, New Methods and Digital Innovation in Rural Areas (FCUP Auditorium FC6-029), chaired by Hossein Azadi, University of Ghent.

Under submission No. #100, Daniel Keech, Katarina Kubinakova, Aimee Morse, and Demelza Jones from the Countryside and Community Research Institute, University of Gloucestershire (UK) presented:

“Rural functions and digital transition: lessons from western England”

The presentation drew directly on the work of the Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire Living Labs — two of the RUSTIK Living Labs based in western England and Wales. The Gloucestershire Living Lab has focused on digital inclusion and data innovation, while the Monmouthshire Living Lab has explored demographic change through participatory mapping and dashboard tools. Together, they offer concrete evidence of how digital transition in rural areas requires social innovation alongside technological change — a key insight the presentation brings to the Porto audience.

 

Beyond RUSTIK’s Own Contributions

The RUSTIK presence at the conference extends beyond the project’s direct submissions. On 22 June, the Opening Session featured an inaugural lecture by Marion Eckardt from the ELARD Knowledge Hub — a RUSTIK consortium partner — under the title “From Practice to Policy: A Practitioner’s Journey Through the Development of Rural Europe”. It is a reminder that the conversation between research and practice lies at the core of what RUSTIK set out to do.

If you are attending the conference, the RUSTIK team looks forward to seeing you in Porto.

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?
  • What is the relationship between food, access to food, and subjective well-being, and how can it be measured?

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.