Last week, the GRANULAR project successfully concluded its General Assembly and an international cross-visit in Ourense, Galicia (Spain). Hosted by the Spanish Living Lab in Ourense from the University of Vigo from May 27th to 29th, the three-day event brought together project partners to review significant progress, foster collaboration, and gain firsthand insights into rural well-being challenges and innovations in the region.
Advancing Rural Well-being Through Data and Collaboration
The General Assembly on May 27th reaffirmed the project’s core objective: enhancing rural well-being through novel data, indicators, and methods. Partners showcased advancements in characterising rural areas with new indicators, presenting newly published reports on climate neutrality frameworks and rural resilience from a gender perspective. In addition, partners presented new updates of the Digital Platform, which now includes new visualisation tools for intuitively displaying key results at both local and European levels.
A dedicated workshop facilitated vital learning and knowledge exchange with the Multi-Actor Labs, ensuring the project’s outputs remain relevant and impactful by aligning research questions with actual local needs. The assembly also served as a valuable forum to deepen collaboration between partners and clarify the critical interlinkages between various work packages, ensuring a cohesive and integrated project approach. Strategic discussions were held to plan future steps, setting clear objectives and milestones for ongoing research and dissemination activities.
The day also featured thematic presentations on rural food systems, and the progress of the Rural Proofing framework. Innovative data sources, including tracking tourist flows and analysing rural aesthetics, were presented, alongside a beta version of the Living Labs and Replication Labs comparison tool.
The Assembly also featured contributions from other European initiatives. Our sister project RUSTIK presented an introduction to its pilot region in Galicia and hosted a display during the event, while STORCITO contributed with a dedicated presentation, enriching discussions with complementary insights into rural innovation and policy.
Tristan Berchoux, GRANULAR Coordinator from the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Montpellier (IAMM), emphasised the project’s mission to capture the diversity of rural areas, understand dynamic changes through granular data, and create better tools to inform policy.
Cross-Visit Exploring Galician Rural Dynamics
Following the General Assembly, GRANULAR partners embarked on an immersive two-day cross-visit of the Galician region on May 28th and 29th. This visit provided invaluable insights into Galicia’s diverse rural landscapes and dynamics, with a focus on the municipalities of San Xoán de Río, Allariz, and Ribadavia.
These three municipalities, while each facing unique challenges, share a common dedication to revitalising their communities through sustainable practices, cultural preservation, and innovative governance. Across these three municipalities, active rural revitalisation efforts, a strong emphasis on preserving cultural heritage were commonly observed.
- San Xoán de Río, a small municipality grappling with aging and depopulation, showcased innovative approaches to rural development, including digital transformation and community engagement projects.
- Allariz was highlighted for its pioneering efforts in environmental sustainability and successful urban regeneration projects, serving as an EU-level model for eco-friendly tourism and cultural vibrancy.
- Ribadavia, with its rich medieval history, emphasised its strong connection to viticulture as the capital of the Ribeiro wine region.
The cross-visit facilitated engagement with local leaders and experts, including mayors, university professors, and community facilitators, providing a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and successful strategies employed in these diverse rural settings. Participants gained firsthand insights into how these communities are actively combating depopulation, promoting sustainable development, and preserving their unique identities. The event underscored GRANULAR’s commitment to bridging research with real-world needs and fostering collaborative solutions for thriving rural areas across Europe.
