Ruractive - Open Call for Innovators

OPEN CALL FOR INNOVATORS Do you have the next big solution to help rural areas and become a part of the innovative wave transforming rural Europe?

Apply to our Open Call for Innovators for your chance to get funded up to €90,000, work closely with rural dynamos and receive training and support to co-develop your solutions that meet real community needs!

Take part in driving innovation and transformation in rural communities across Europe! RURACTIVE will soon be seeking European innovators - Startups, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, researchers - willing to co-develop smart solutions for its 12 pilot areas, the RURACTIVE Dynamos.

Innovators will be invited to answer the RURACTIVE Open Call and present solutions that address specific challenges within the scope of the RURACTIVE Rural Development Drivers:

Sustainable agri-food systems and ecosystem management Nature-based and cultural tourism Culture and cultural innovation Sustainable multimodal mobility Energy transition and climate neutrality Local services, health and wellbeing WHAT WE OFFER The RURACTIVE Open Call for Innovators aims to help you develop smart, community-led, tailor-made, place-based, and inclusive solutions within local rural areas. Selected applicants to the Open Call will gain access to the first stage of the RURACTIVE Innovators Programme, and gain the opportunity to be selected later on to its second stage:

Stage 1 (2 months) From the Open Call applicants, 36 projects will be selected to enter stage 1. The programme beneficiaries - the RURACTIVE Innovators - will receive a wide range of value-added services and funding. FUNDING AND SUPPORT

Receive €5,000 to kickstart your project and support travel to the rural ecosystem

EXPERT GUIDANCE

Benefit from a dedicated mentor guiding your project’s development

DIRECT COLLABORATION

Work closely with rural dynamos to co-develop community-focused solutions

Opportunity to progress to stage 2

Participate in local workshops, fine-tune, and present your solution for stage 2 selection

Stage 2 (18 months) At the end of stage 1, up to 24 innovators (up to 2 per dynamo) will be selected to enter stage 2, being invited to develop, deploy, and assess their solutions. Opportunity to receive: EXTENDED DEPLOYMENT

Engage in a 18-month programme for pilot development and solution replication

ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Receive up to €85,000 in additional funding to scale your project

CAPACITY BUILDING

Enhance your skills with comprehensive training and capacity-building activities