Adapting to and mitigating demographic trends in rural areas through evidence-based planning and innovative solutions

The main goal of this opportunity is to empower rural communities within the EU to become more sustainable and resilient, while adapting to demographic changes. It aims to improve the understanding of the causes and impacts of demographic trends and to prepare rural areas for these challenges through evidence-based planning and inclusive stakeholder engagement. The focus is on supporting job creation, fostering sustainable development, and enhancing access to services, housing, and the environment. Projects should address social, economic, and environmental impacts, and promote innovative solutions that improve the well-being and attractiveness of rural, coastal, and urban areas. International cooperation is encouraged, allowing participation from some non-EU countries under specific conditions.

• Projects must follow the application format and page limits as required by the call.
• They must use a multi-actor approach, involving stakeholders such as public authorities, rural communities, SMEs, organizations, and social economy actors.
• Proposals should focus on evidence-based planning and innovative solutions to address demographic trends in rural areas.
• Projects must develop sustainable strategies, tools, or solutions that enhance the well-being and resilience of rural communities.
• They should align with expected outcomes like better understanding of demographic trends and improved attractiveness of rural areas.

Examples:

• A project that brings together local government, farmers, and small businesses to design new services for aging populations in a rural region.
• An initiative that pilots sustainable housing solutions to attract young families to rural areas.
• A collaboration between rural communities and tech startups to develop digital tools for local job creation and service access.

• Budget for this Call: 13.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per project: 6.500.000€

• Budget for this Call: 13.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per project: 6.500.000€

• Applicants must be from eligible countries as defined in the relevant annexes of the programme.
• Proposals must follow a multi-actor approach, involving relevant stakeholders (such as public authorities, rural communities, SMEs, organizations, and social economy actors).
• Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity to carry out the proposed project.
• Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties, with a maximum grant of EUR 60,000 per third party.
• Some eligibility conditions may depend on the specific topic of the call.
• International partners from non-EU countries may participate if specific provisions are met.