News

• The Rural Pact Office has published a brochure that compiles six European best practices focused on innovation, entrepreneurship and rural resilience
• The document showcases initiatives related to bioeconomy, sustainable food, digital heritage, and social entrepreneurship.
• Spain is participating with a project developed in Cuenca on forest bioeconomy and ecological transition

Innovation in rural areas goes far beyond technology. It also involves finding solutions tailored to the specific needs of each region, leveraging its resources, social fabric, and collaboration among local stakeholders—what is known as “social innovation.” Based on this premise, the Rural Pact Office has published the brochure “Territory-Based Innovation ,” a compilation of European best practices focused on promoting rural development through participatory approaches connected to the realities of each region.

The publication brings together six initiatives developed in different European countries that address challenges such as depopulation, economic diversification, the ecological transition, and access to opportunities in rural areas. The document focuses on innovation models based on cooperation between government agencies, universities, businesses, social organizations, and citizens to strengthen resilience and territorial cohesion.

A Spanish project

Among the best practices included in the brochure is the Urban Forest Innovation Lab (UFIL) , developed in the province of Cuenca, in Castilla-La Mancha, by the University of Castilla-La Mancha. This initiative works to transform forest resources into new economic opportunities linked to the bioeconomy and the ecological transition.

The project functions as a space for training, incubation, and support for rural entrepreneurship, connecting researchers, government agencies, businesses, and local communities to promote new activities related to forests and ecosystem services. Since its launch in 2018, more than 150 people have participated in its programs, and 45 rural businesses have been created in areas such as:

• Sustainable forest management.

• Construction and design with wood .

• Fire prevention.

• Carbon sequestration and ecosystem services.

• Non-timber forest products.

The brochure highlights this model as an example of territory-based innovation, leveraging natural resources and local knowledge to generate employment and new economic opportunities.

Other European good practices

In addition to the Spanish case, the publication compiles other experiences implemented in different European countries that show different ways of applying territorial innovation in rural areas:

• Sweden: In the Swedish region of Skåne, an innovation center has been created to connect rural entrepreneurs with universities, funding programs and support networks, facilitating the development of projects without leaving the territory.

• Austria : develops a rural innovation system within its CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 based on cooperation between companies, research centers, administrations and civil society to design solutions adapted to each region.

• Romania : The Romanian Social Business Academy promotes the creation of social enterprises through training, mentoring and financial aid, fostering employment and local services in rural areas.

• Slovenia : The Green Point laboratory works with farmers, SMEs and institutions to strengthen local food systems through short supply chains, circular economy models and blockchain technology - used to improve the traceability and transparency of food products, allowing you to know the journey of food from its origin to the consumer.

• Latvia : The town of Koknese is betting on digital tools , virtual reality and educational activities to strengthen rural identity, attract young people and highlight local cultural heritage.

Local innovation

The brochure emphasizes that all the initiatives share a common approach: developing solutions tailored to the specific characteristics of each region and built through local collaboration. According to the Rural Pact Office, this type of innovation strengthens the competitiveness, social cohesion, and resilience of European rural areas in the face of challenges such as depopulation, aging, and the ecological transition.