RURACTIVE Open Call for Innovators

Take part in driving innovation and transformation in rural communities across Europe! RURACTIVE will soon be seeking European innovators – Startups, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, researchers – willing to co-develop smart solutions for its 12 pilot areas, the RURACTIVE Dynamos.

RURACTIVE partners will drive rural innovation in twelve European rural communities, the so-called “Dynamos”. These Dynamos serve as hubs of rural innovation, where local communities, in partnership with RURACTIVE, drive the implementation of innovative solutions tailored to their unique contexts. The Dynamos are central to the project, acting as focal points for piloting new practices, fostering local engagement and addressing specific rural challenges.

Innovators will be invited to answer the RURACTIVE Open Call and present solutions that address specific challenges within the scope of the RURACTIVE Rural Development Drivers:

• Sustainable agri-food systems and ecosystem management,
• Nature-based and cultural tourism,
• Culture and cultural innovation,
• Sustainable multimodal mobility,
• Energy transition and climate neutrality
• Local services, health and wellbeing.

Benefits

• The RURACTIVE Open Call for Innovators aims to help you develop smart, community-led, tailor-made, place-based, and inclusive solutions within local rural areas. Selected applicants to the Open Call will gain access to the first stage of the RURACTIVE Innovators Programme, and gain the opportunity to be selected later on to its second stage:
  • Stage 1 (2 months): From the Open Call applicants, 36 projects will be selected to enter stage 1. The programme beneficiaries – the RURACTIVE Innovators – will receive a wide range of value-added services and funding:
    • Funding and Support: Receive €5,000 to kickstart your project and support travel to the rural ecosystem
    • Expert Guidance: Benefit from a dedicated mentor guiding your project’s development
    • Direct Collaboration: Work closely with rural dynamos to co-develop community-focused solutions
    • Opportunity to progress to stage 2: Participate in local workshops, fine-tune, and present your solution for stage 2 selection.
  • Stage 2 (18 months): At the end of stage 1, up to 24 innovators (up to 2 per dynamo) will be selected to enter stage 2, being invited to develop, deploy, and assess their solutions. Opportunity to receive:
    • Extended Deployment: Engage in a 9-month programme for pilot development and solution replication
    • Additional Funding: Receive up to €85,000 in additional funding to scale your project
    • Capacity Building: Enhance your skills with comprehensive training and capacity-building activities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Startups and SMEs applying individually
• Consortia (up to two entities) led by SMEs/startups
  • SMEs/startups,
  • mid-caps,
  • researchers/academia;
  • Note: research institutes and academia are eligible for funding up to 40% of the sub-project budget.
  • Rural communities/ associations – representing a rural area/region and acting as a new early adopter or facilitating piloting.
• Geographical Eligibility: Entities must be eligible to work in the EU or Horizon Europe associated Member State and have a valid PIC number.

For more information, visit RURACTIVE.