Empowering ADRION rural communities to innovate-ADRURAL

Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Italy
AGRICULTURE
01/09/2024 – 31/08/2027
(35 months)
THE CHALLENGE
Rural areas in the Adriatic-Ionian region face critical socioeconomic and environmental challenges, including depopulation, brain drain, an ageing population, limited connectivity to public infrastructure, and restricted access to funding and policy co-creation opportunities. These issues are compounded by the impacts of climate change, leading to more frequent and severe weather events that threaten the resilience of these communities. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to empower rural areas by fostering collaboration and innovation. Strengthening networks and partnerships among local stakeholders, regions, and enterprises will help build a multiregional innovation system, unlocking the full potential of rural communities and supporting their sustainable growth..
SOLUTION
The ADRURAL project is dedicated to empowering rural communities in the Adriatic-Ionian region by introducing smart and innovative solutions to address their most pressing challenges. These include improving environmental sustainability, adapting to climate change, enhancing education and training, and boosting community resilience. By involving local stakeholders and businesses in co-creating solutions, ADRURAL ensures that these efforts are practical and tailored to real needs. The project also builds strong networks across the region, sharing knowledge, best practices, and innovative strategies to create thriving, sustainable rural areas. ADRURAL embraces the unique characteristics of each participating region, combining advanced technology, capacity-building efforts, and sustainable practices to empower ADRION rural communities to overcome barriers and unlock their full potential.
The project is implemented in collaboration with partner organizations from Greece, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Italy, fostering a spirit of cross-border cooperation.
ACTIVITIES
ADRURAL focuses on empowering rural communities across the Adriatic-Ionian region through a strong transnational approach. Central to the project is the development of a Transnational Strategy and Action Plans, designed to address common challenges and foster innovation-driven growth. The project establishes five Mini Rural Living Labs (MRLLs) to pilot Smart Solutions tailored to local needs, supported by data collection and analysis. These labs will generate innovative models that can be scaled and replicated across rural areas, ensuring sustainable development guided by evidence-based practices.
To strengthen collaboration, ADRURAL will create the ADRURAL Rural Innovation Network, connecting stakeholders, policymakers, and businesses across the region. The Online Rural Empowerment Hub (OREH) will serve as a central platform for sharing data, resources, funding opportunities, and best practices. This integrated system will enhance knowledge transfer and policy alignment while promoting long-term collaboration through a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among partners, ensuring the sustainability and impact of the project.
THE IMPACT
ADRURAL’s transnational approach fosters collaboration across the Adriatic-Ionian region, directly addressing shared rural challenges through coordinated strategies. The project’s impact is multi-dimensional, leading to sustainable socio-economic transformation in rural communities.
- Enhanced Rural Innovation & Economic Growth
- Knowledge Transfer & Policy Advancement
- Stronger Cross-Border Cooperation & Stakeholder Engagement
- Empowerment of Rural Communities & Sustainability
ADRURAL’s comprehensive framework ensures that rural communities not only benefit from innovative solutions but are also actively engaged in shaping their own sustainable futures.












Funding:
EUR 1.757.463,87
Donator
Interreg IPA ADRION. https://www.interreg-ipa-adrion.eu
Partners
Regional Union of Municipalities of Ionian Islands PED-IN https://www.ped-in.gr
Preda Plus, North Macedonia https://www.predaplus.eu
Reframe.food- Greece https://reframe.food/
AgriFood Croatia https://agrifoodcroatia.com/
Foundation for innovation and technology development(INTERA), Bosnia and
Herzegovina https://intera.ba/en/
ITC – Innovation Technology Cluster – Slovenia https://itc-cluster.com/
Central European Service for Cross-Boarder Initiatives Balkans CESCI, Vojvodina, Serbia
www.cesci-balkans.eu
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center Tehnopolis, Montenegro https://tehnopolis.me/en/about-us/
Chamber of Commerce Industry Craft and Agriculture of Venice Rovigo, Italy https://www.dl.camcom.it/