RuralYouthFuture experts participates in the workshop “Entrepreneurship in declining rural areas” in Burgos

More than 50 policy makers and various experts gathered at the University of Isabel I in Burgos, Spain to exchange their experiences on how entrepreneurship and digital tools can play a crucial role in place reinvention and economic diversification strategies designed to stabilise or reverse population trends in rural areas experiencing population decline.

The event featured working sessions on topics such as  youth entrepreneurship, female entrepreneurship, and digital opportunities for entrepreneurship in rural areas. Workshop participants developed transformation paths for European rural areas experiencing population decline, which involved setting long-term objectives, as well as short- and medium-term targets and intermediate steps. Presentations highlighted also impressive achievements made possible through mentoring, training, and community building, offering valuable inspiration for rural areas across Europe

Throughout the day, participants explored innovative policies, support mechanisms, and success stories from different European regions that focus on fostering entrepreneurship, particularly among youth and addressing gender imbalances in rural areas.

Gustavs M. Upmanis, a stakeholder in the RuralYouthFuture project and founder of the Latvian social enterprises “Visas Iespējas” (All Opportunities) and “Darba Tinderis” (MatchWork), presented the recent project GO REMOTE platform in Latvia. This initiative focuses on providing remote job and education opportunities for youth, along with a career speed-dating service. These solutions aim to connect employers and young people, including those living in rural areas, through digital tools.

An impressive example of how digital solutions can facilitate result-oriented development in rural areas is the story of the small municipality of Fundão in Portugal (Invest & Startup Fundão). Since 2012, the municipality has undergone a remarkable transformation following a complete rethinking of their development strategy, becoming an integrated ecosystem for innovation and investment. This includes an advanced training center, a business hub, a Digital Innovation Hub, a Fab Lab, a gaming cluster, and numerous other initiatives aimed at revitalising the town. Fundão has also gained recognition as a testbed for smart and sustainable agricultural solutions.

Other programmes and projects presented include:

• Desafío Mujer Rural: a Spanish programme supporting women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas.
• ACORNS: a programme designed to support early-stage female entrepreneurs living in rural Ireland.
• PIN - Pugliesi Innovativi: a mini-grant startup support program (10,000 to 30,000 €) for youth aged 18-35 in Italy.
• Young Lausitz Initiative: a grassroots movement of young people from Lausitz, Germany, aiming to make their region attractive to youth. They have launched a “young image” campaign to attract and retain young people in the region.

Presentations of these good practices can be found here.

More information about the event and key conclusions can be accessed here.