{"id":27428,"date":"2026-03-13T13:31:52","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T13:31:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/futural-project.eu\/?p=27428"},"modified":"2026-03-13T13:37:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T13:37:06","slug":"futural-3rd-press-release-the-futural-project-invites-you-to-the-2nd-eu-rif","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/futural-project.eu\/de\/futural-3rd-press-release-the-futural-project-invites-you-to-the-2nd-eu-rif\/","title":{"rendered":"FUTURAL 3rd Press release: The FUTURAL project invites you to the 2nd EU-RIF"},"content":{"rendered":"

From Smart Villages to Smart Rural Futures: experiences from the Baltic region<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The FUTURAL project, funded by Horizon Europe, organizes the 2nd EU Rural Innovation Forum <\/strong>(EU-RIF #2)<\/em> on 5th & 6th <\/strong>of May 2026 <\/strong>at the Jonava Cultural Centre <\/strong>in Jonava, Lithuania<\/strong>, convening policymakers, practitioners, EU projects and rural innovators from across Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the title \u201cFrom Smart Villages to Smart Rural Futures: experiences from the Baltic region<\/strong>\u201d<\/em>, the forum will showcase practical tools, policy insights and real-life rural innovation examples, highlighting how Smart Villages can strengthen resilience, competitiveness and quality of life in rural areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participation <\/strong>is open <\/strong>to anyone i<\/strong>nterested in rural innovation, Smart Villages and the future of rural development, and registration is available at: <\/a>https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/b3dvz9r6<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the 2nd EU-RIF about?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rural communities across Europe <\/strong>face many challenges, but they also have strong potential for growth and renewal. In this context, innovation is crucial to help rural areas<\/strong> break out of these vicious cycles and build more resilient, attractive, and sustainable futures. Smart Villages<\/strong> have emerged as a way to support this transition<\/strong>, enabling rural communities to design and implement local strategies that bring together social, digital, and organisational solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Die 2nd EU Rural Innovation Forum<\/strong> (EU-RIF),<\/em> will take stock of progress, experiences, and lessons learned from the planning and implementation of Smart Villages<\/strong> in the Baltic region<\/strong>, showcasing hands-on examples and reflecting on how these initiatives can be strengthened in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who can attend?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The forum convenes a wide rural innovation ecosystem, including policymakers and implementers, rural innovation networks, EU-funded R&I projects, organisations, entrepreneurs, and community representatives,<\/strong> to support capacity building and expertise sharing on smart community-led innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why participate in the 2nd EU-RIF?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2nd EU-RIF is designed as a hands-on, exchange-focused event featuring expert discussions, workshops and tools rural actors can use immediately. If you\u2019re looking for more reasons to take part, here\u2019s what you will gain: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n