The FUTURAL project is excited to announce its Open Call, aimed at empowering rural innovation and fostering sustainable development in rural areas across Europe. As part of this initiative, we are extending an invitation to all members of the PREPARE network and interested stakeholders to actively participate in shaping the future of rural communities.
About the FUTURAL Open Call
To fuel the growth trajectory of digital solutions for rural area empowerment and boost the overall project impact, FUTURAL will launch a single Open Call (OC) to fund at least ten (10) additional projects that will develop their own SS (different from the eight smart solutions developed by the FUTURAL partners), based on the five FUTURAL SS domains, to be applied in other rural areas (in at least ten European rural areas other than the areas covered by the six MAP areas) and be available on the project’s Metasearch Platform, providing Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) as a mechanism to increase the number of SS available to rural communities and accelerate network expansion.
The FUTURAL Open Call will provide a significant opportunity to encourage SMEs and other interested parties (e.g., start-ups, research organisations and rural communities) to develop and apply their own Smart Solutions within the 5 FUTURAL domains, therefore increasing the number of Smart Solutions available to rural communities.
Key details of the Open Call:
- Application Deadline: September 30, 2024 at 17:00 CET
- Eligibility:FUTURAL will accept applications from small consortia consisting of two (2) to four (4) parties, involving ≥1 (at least one)technical party (e.g., SMEs, startups, research organisations) and ≥1 (at least one) rural community (e.g., Municipalities, Regional authorities, Development agencies, NGOs etc) and proposed solutions must fall within one of the 5 following domains: 1) Circular bioeconomy, biodiversity and ecosystem management, 2) Resilience to shocks, 3) Citizen Engagement and Quality of Life, 4) Lifelong Education and Training and 5) Climate Adaptation and Mitigation
- Funding: Financial support will be provided for at least ten (10) selected projects, with a focus on impactful and scalable solutions
For more information about the Open Call eligibility criteria and how to apply, please visit the FUTURAL’s website Open Call section.
Join Our Webinar: Get Informed and Get Involved!
To support your participation in the FUTURAL Open Call, we are pleased to announce a dedicated webinar scheduled for Friday, August 23rd, 2024, at 11:00 am CET. This webinar is designed to provide comprehensive information about the Open Call and the FUTURAL project, helping you understand the objectives, application process, and the potential role you can play.
Webinar Agenda:
- Introduction to the FUTURAL Project: Overview of the project’s goals and impact on rural communities.
- Details of the Open Call: In-depth explanation of the Open Call’s requirements, application process, and selection criteria.
- PREPARE’s Role and Your Involvement: How PREPARE members can contribute to and benefit from the FUTURAL initiative.
- Q&A Session: An opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications from the project team.
How to Join: The webinar will be held online via the ZOOM platform. You can join the session using the following link: Join Webinar.
We strongly encourage all interested parties to participate in this informative session, as it will provide valuable insights and guidance on how to successfully engage with the FUTURAL Open Call.
Don’t Miss Out! This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the sustainable future of rural areas and to be part of an exciting European initiative. Mark your calendars for August 23rd, and make sure to register for the webinar to secure your spot.
We look forward to your active participation and to seeing the innovative ideas and projects that will emerge from this Open Call!