Inspire - Interreg Europe

22/12/2025

We’re happy to share the outcomes of the 3rd semester Regional Stakeholder Meetings held across INSPIRE partner countries.
The meetings brought together local stakeholders to discuss smart villages, digital inclusion and rural development.

👉 Read more here:

Interreg Europe brings regional and local governments together to share innovative and sustainable solutions to regional development challenges.

11/11/2025

🌍✨ Consorzio Poliedra at the European Startup Village Forum in Brussels!

Together with the JRC, DG CLIMA, REGIO and AGRI, we explored how innovation, science-based policies, and creative governance can empower rural and mountain areas across Europe.

💡 Within INSPIRE, we’re proud to support smart, inclusive and sustainable rural futures.

09/10/2025

Day 2 of the 4th INSPIRE Partner Meeting 🇭🇺 — Sárospatak & Tokaj, Hungary

Hosted by Magyar Gazdaságfejlesztési Ügynökség (MGFÜ), the second day of our visit was all about discovering how tradition and innovation come together in the Tokaj region 🍇✨

We started the morning at the Municipality of Sárospatak, welcomed by the Mayor, who shared the city’s story and its vision for the future — building on local heritage and wine tourism as key drivers for development.

Then, our partners joined a roundtable discussion focused on the work of Local Action Groups (LAGs), identifying common priorities and opportunities for future cooperation across Europe. 🤝

In the afternoon, we explored Grand Tokaj Winery
— one of Hungary’s most important wineries, blending centuries of Tokaj winemaking tradition with cutting-edge technology and research. 🍷

Finally, we visited Helia-D Herba-Kastély in Tolcsva, where beauty, nature, and innovation meet — using the essence of Tokaji wine in skincare products inspired by the region’s excellence. 🌿

Another inspiring day of learning, exchange, and collaboration! Together we’re building impact that lasts. 💪🌍

08/10/2025

Day 1 of the 4th INSPIRE Partner Meeting 🇭🇺
Hosted by Magyar Gazdaságfejlesztési Ügynökség (MGFÜ) in Sárospatak & Tokaj, Hungary!

What a start! 💫
We began our study visit at FRAISA Hungary, discovering advanced manufacturing technologies and the amazing preparation of their technical staff — innovation in motion! ⚙️

Then off to Hercegkút, where the mayor shared inspiring stories of local development and heritage restoration through community projects and European cooperation.

The day ended beautifully with a traditional dinner and wine tasting at NAAR wine cellar 🍷 — the perfect way to celebrate collaboration and connection.

And during our Interregional Meeting, partners shared progress on policy improvements, learning from one another’s good practices — teamwork at its best! 💪

Everyone — partners, locals, and communities — is contributing with passion and care to make an impact for a more sustainable future 🌿

17/09/2025

Exciting news! 🎉 On Oct 7–8 we’ll gather in Sárospatak, Tokaj (Hungary) for the 4th Inspire partner meeting, hosted by Magyar Gazdaságfejlesztési Ügynökség.
Theme: rural economic development, with a spotlight on SMEs and digitalisation.
Stay tuned for updates from the study visit & interregional workshop!



Image credit: Civertan Grafik | CC BY-SA 2.5

09/09/2025

On 28 August 2025, the 3rd Regional Stakeholder Meeting of the European project INSPIRE Interreg Europe – Innovative and Smarter Policy Instruments for Rural Europe took place in Wetzlar 🇩🇪, organised by Institut für Ländliche Strukturforschung (IfLS).

✨ Key highlights:

- Survey results on Smart Society, Economy, Environment & Living Conditions
-Recognition of the volunteer-based Fire Brigade in Lahnau as an Interreg Europe Good Practice 🚒
-Exchange of insights with Oficina de Proyectos Europeos - OPE Cantabria and Ballyhoura Development CLG for mutual learning 🌍

Next steps: Smart Village Conference 2026 and closer cooperation with Erasmus+ Ruraled

Together with stakeholders, we are shaping smarter rural pathways for Europe. 🌱🤝

06/09/2025

On 9 July, Ballyhoura Development CLG hosted the 3rd Regional Stakeholder Meeting of the INSPIRE Interreg Europe Project. 🌍✨
Stakeholders from local government, agencies, social partners and the community sector came together online to discuss Smart Villages, digitisation, and rural innovation.

Key highlights included:
✅ Sharing learnings from European study visits & good practices
✅ Exploring smart digital solutions for agriculture 🌱
✅ Strengthening opportunities for transnational cooperation

Ballyhoura Development CLG were delighted to share the official validation and publication of their Good Practice:
“Community-Led Participative Planning – Smart Development of Rural Areas”, now available through Interreg Europe.

Together, we continue working towards a digitally inclusive and resilient rural Europe. 💡🤝

28/05/2025

🌄 INSPIRE in Cantabria – Day 2 Wrap-up!

What an incredible end to our field visit! 💡

We started the day in Liérganes with a workshop hosted at the fantastic Cervezas Dougall's, joined by and Red Cántabra de Desarrollo Rural, discussing how smart innovation can strengthen rural communities.

In the afternoon, we visited CIFP La Granja, where:
👩‍🏫 Students use simulators to train in livestock care
🌱 Greenhouses manage water & temperature automatically
🐄 Robots milk cows and analyze their health in real time

🙏 Thanks to Oficina de Proyectos Europeos - OPE Cantabria and the Gobierno de Cantabria for welcoming us and showing how education and technology are transforming the primary sector.

Leader Region Lahn-Dill-Wetzlar Zemgales Plānošanas reģions / Zemgale Planning Region Magyar Gazdaságfejlesztési Ügynökség Lokalna Grupa Działania Stowarzyszenie "Południowa Warmia" Ballyhoura Development CLG

27/05/2025

DAY 1 – Kick-off in Cantabria | 27th May 2025
📍 Finca la Jerrizuela, Coo (Los Corrales)
👣 INSPIRE meets CIFA – Centro de Investigación y Formación Agraria

We’ve just wrapped up Day 1 of our field visit in Cantabria with an inspiring start! 💡
We visited Finca la Jerrizuela, an experimental mountain cattle farm managed by CIFA, the Cantabrian Agricultural Research and Training Centre.

🐄 There, we explored how science, digital technology (like drones, GPS collars, and satellite data) and traditional shepherd knowledge come together to:
✅ Improve livestock quality control
✅ Manage communal grazing lands sustainably
✅ Prevent wildfires and protect biodiversity

💬 We concluded the day at the Town Hall of Los Corrales, where we continued our discussion about the Steering Committee of the INSPIRE project

👢 Rugged terrain, big ideas, and plenty of inspiration for what’s next!

👉 Stay tuned for Day 2!





Zemgales Plānošanas reģions / Zemgale Planning Region Oficina de Proyectos Europeos - OPE Cantabria Gobierno de Cantabria Magyar Gazdaságfejlesztési Ügynökség Leader Region Lahn-Dill-Wetzlar Ballyhoura Development CLG Lokalna Grupa Działania Stowarzyszenie "Południowa Warmia"

20/05/2025

🚍 The 𝙄𝙉𝙎𝙋𝙄𝙍𝙀 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙟𝙚𝙘𝙩 is heading to Cantabria next week (27–28 May 2025)! 🇪🇸
Project partners will take part in a two-day meeting hosted by the 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙂𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙖 and 𝙊𝙋𝙀 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙖, where we’ll explore how digital technologies and smart rural strategies are reshaping agriculture and communities across Europe.

👀 What’s on the agenda?
✅ A visit to CIFA to learn about sustainable livestock and grazing research
✅ A workshop with local innovators, including CTC and Red Cantabria Rural, while visiting a local brewery
✅ A trip to CIFP La Granja, where new generations are being trained in digital and sustainable farming techniques.

📍 We’ll be in Santander, Coo, Los Corrales de Buelna, Liérganes, and Heras!

Follow us for stories and updates from the field here: https://www.interregeurope.eu/inspire/news-and-events/events/partner-meeting-study-visit-in-cantabria-spain



Oficina de Proyectos Europeos - OPE Cantabria
Gobierno de Cantabria

Interreg Europe brings regional and local governments together to share innovative and sustainable solutions to regional development challenges.

16/04/2025

🌍 Smart Villages, Smarter Future: Hungary’s Regional Stakeholder Meeting Highlights 🌱
On March 24, Magyar Gazdaságfejlesztési Ügynökség (MGFÜ) welcomed ministries, LEADER groups, universities, and entrepreneurs to Budapest for the 2nd Regional Stakeholder Meeting of the INSPIRE project.
🎯 What was discussed?
➡️ Hungary’s Smart Village pilot under CAP 2023–2027
➡️ Empowering LEADER groups to shape rural policy
➡️ Stories from the field in Zempléni Tájak
➡️ Plans for future collaboration in Tokaj
➡️ Next INSPIRE Study Visit in Cantabria, Spain

It’s clear: rural innovation is on the rise, and Hungary is taking bold steps to make smart villages a reality. 💡🏡
📸 Stay tuned for more updates from the field, study visits, and real stories of transformation: https://www.interregeurope.eu/inspire/news-and-events/news/2nd-regional-stakeholder-meeting-in-hungary

08/04/2025

🌟 Building Bridges Between Generations in Olsztynek, Poland 🌟
The INSPIRE – Innovative and Smarter Policy Instruments for Rural Europe project hosted two significant Regional Stakeholder Meetings in Olsztynek this February. The goal? Strengthening the connections between youth and seniors in rural communities to create a more inclusive, cooperative environment.
Highlights from the meetings:

👩‍🦳Seniors are actively involved in a variety of community activities and are seeking support for issues like loneliness and meal delivery.

👧Youth expressed interest in working together with seniors, especially in projects promoting mutual understanding and community growth.

Both groups will participate in surveys to provide valuable feedback on future initiatives.

By continuing this dialogue, we’re shaping the future of rural Europe! 🌍
Learn more about the project and upcoming initiatives: https://www.interregeurope.eu/inspire/news-and-events/news/2nd-regional-stakeholder-meetings-in-olsztynek-pl