24/06/2026
🌱🇪🇺 PREPARE at the RUSTIK & Granular - Giving Rural Actors Novel data and re-Useable tools Final Conference
The first day of the RUSTIK & GRANULAR Final Conference highlighted a key message for the future of rural Europe: there is no single “rural Europe.” Rural areas are diverse, complex, and constantly evolving. Understanding this diversity requires better evidence, innovative analytical approaches, and stronger collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and local communities.
Representing PREPARE at this important event were Goran Šoster, GRANULAR Project Coordinator, and Miodrag Matavulj, Secretary General of PREPARE, who participated in discussions on how research findings can help shape more effective and inclusive rural policies across Europe.
🗺️ The opening sessions focused on moving beyond traditional rural–urban classifications and developing new ways to understand the diversity and complexity of Europe’s rural territories.
💬 Key messages from the discussions included:
🔹 “Research and inputs from GRANULAR are very timely and welcome, as they coincide with the current European policy cycle.”
— Vasilis Margaras, European Parliamentary Research Service
🔹 “The rural happiness paradox shows that a rural wellbeing advantage appears in many comparisons, but it is not universal.”
— Gundi Knies, Thünen Institute
🔹 “Local context matters. In the Netherlands, housing policies should be seen as part of rural wellbeing.”
— Kimberly Wevers, P10 Netwerk
🔹 “The food paradox in Bulgaria is that access to local food is difficult for both tourists and local people. Developing solutions requires updated data, collaboration with local actors, and digital tools such as GIS.”
— Petya Slavova, Technical University of Sofia
🔹 “The multi-actor approach is important to contribute to innovation across Europe.”
— Carole Esclapez, European Commission, who also highlighted the challenges of replication and long-term sustainability of project results.
🌿 Throughout the day, participants explored how tools, data, and place-based approaches developed through the RUSTIK and GRANULAR projects can support better decision-making, stronger rural communities, and more effective policies.
🤝 A big thank you to all speakers, moderators, and participants for an inspiring day of learning, exchange, and cooperation.
Tomorrow, the conference will focus on turning evidence into action through rural proofing, community-led approaches, and practical solutions for rural transitions across Europe.
