The project R4RURAL project brings its partners together at the University to address resilience in rural areas

The first workshop of project R4RURAL project was held at the University of Navarra from April 22 to 24. The event brought together researchers from the various institutions involved in the project: Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), Harz University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Akdeniz University (Turkey), and the University of Naples “L’Orientale” (Italy). Local partners also attended, including the Biodiversity and Environment Institute and the Institute of Culture and Society at the University of Navarra. This initiative aimsto promote the resilience of rural areas in the face of climate change and depopulation. To develop the necessary tools, the project this challenge , engaging numerous social groups and areas of knowledge.

“In the context of climate change, it is especially important to take the most vulnerable populations into account. Rural communities facing depopulation fall into this category, which is why it is particularly important to pay attention to their status, learn from what they are already doing, and work together to find ways to increase their resilience to the effects of climate change,” says Ana Villarroya, a researcher with R4RURAL at the BIOMA Institute. This workshop generate synergies among partners from various disciplines, such as Economics, environmental sciences, and the social sciences, and to establish a roadmap and common objectives for the project.

During the event, participants took part in workshops, discussed actions to be implemented as part of the project even visited places such as Sendaviva (a nature theme park in Navarre), where they observed firsthand strategies developed in rural areas affected by events such as wildfires. There, they were welcomed by the staff , who gave them a tour of the affected areas and explained in detail the consequences of the fire and the recovery efforts currently underway.

In addition to addressing this dual challenge, R4RURAL also focuses on development innovative teaching learning practices. “It is important for university students from different disciplines to understand the risks posed by climate change in rural areas. The future of these areas does not depend solely on scientists; often, the decision-makers on issues related to land use and risk prevention come from the economic, political, or administrative spheres,” says Ruth Breeze, principal investigator of project the Institute of Culture and Society.

One example of these practices is the creation of “living labs” in various rural communities across the participating countries, where students can apply the quadruple model to gain a deeper understanding of the problem. This model an approach that strengthens the partnership four core topic stakeholders core topic promote development and social development : universities, business, government, and civil society. “It is essential that young people adopt a positive attitude toward the climate-related problems we face, understanding the scale of the challenges and the preventive measures that can be taken,” adds Breeze.

The project focuses on understanding and supporting how rural communities build resilience in the face of twin risks such as depopulation and climate change. It is a four-year initiative funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program. The University of Navarra serves as the coordinating institution, and four other European partners are participating: Hanze University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), Harz University of Applied Sciences (Germany), Akdeniz University (Turkey), and the University of Naples L'Orientale (Italy).