FUTURAL aims to deliver a set of digital Smart Solutions (SS) under 5 Smart Solution domains to address pressing social and environmental challenges. An integrated metasearch platform providing a one-stop shop for SS will be the gateway to FUTURAL’s solutions, enabling search and access to SS developed by similar initiatives.
FUTURAL will prototype, test, pilot and demonstrate community-led social, technological and business innovations based on the proposed SS in six rural pilot areas in the EU, representing different geographical and socio-cultural contexts. FUTURAL aims to deliver a set of digital Smart Solutions (SS) under 5 Smart Solution domains to address pressing social and environmental challenges.
Rural areas in Europe are home to 137 million people representing almost 30% of its population and over 80% of the continent’s territory. They are characterised by immense diversity both in terms of society and culture, but also in terms of geography and topography, comprising small or larger communities far away from urban centres or in proximity to them, lowland areas, or sparsely-populated mountainous and island territories. Regardless of their characteristics, rural areas in Europe face some common societal and environmental challenges. Depopulation, brain-drain and ageing population, limited connectivity and access to public infrastructures and services, are the most pressing societal challenges for rural citizens. On the other hand, climate change, recently leading to more frequent extreme weather events, poses serious challenges for the resilience of rural communities. Respecting the principles of the declarations on “joining forces to boost sustainable digital transformation” and on “a smart and sustainable digital future”, it is key to unlock the full potential of rural areas and help them become more resilient and sustainable, better connected and capable of improving their citizens’ well-being. Empowering rural areas will support the implementation of the EU Green Deal, and in particular its fair and just transition component, the European digital strategy, the European pillar of social rights and the EU long-term vision for rural areas, while addressing all relevant UN’s SDGs.