Bucharest, Romania – June 16–17, 2025
PREPARE (Partnership for Rural Europe) was proud to take part in the FUTURAL Annual Consortium Meeting, hosted by our project partner Universitatea POLITEHNICA din București (UPB). Represented by Leitrim Gërmizaj, PREPARE joined key stakeholders from across Europe to discuss progress, share knowledge, and co-develop strategies for building smarter, more resilient rural communities.
A Strong Start: Project Synergy and Shared Vision
The first day of the meeting, held on June 16, set a dynamic tone. Participants gathered to reflect on FUTURAL’s milestones and align efforts on key thematic areas such as:
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Project progress and strategy alignment
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Capacity-building and innovation in Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs)
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Smart Solution development and delivery
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Digital tools and the Metasearch platform
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Open Calls, business modelling, and rural policy frameworks
PREPARE emphasized the importance of community-led approaches that reflect the diverse realities of rural Europe, advocating for inclusive development rooted in local ownership.
A Deeper Dive: Co-creation and Reflexivity
On June 17, the focus shifted to collective learning and reflexivity. Through a hands-on workshop, Smart Solution providers, MAP representatives, and partners—including PREPARE—engaged in rich conversations about the innovation journey so far.
Key highlights included:
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Reflection on real-world MAP experiences
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Sharing of lessons learned and challenges encountered
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Recommendations for improving the FUTURAL approach
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Strengthening collaboration between technical and community actors
Leitrim Gërmizaj contributed to the workshop by underscoring PREPARE’s role as a bridge between grassroots realities and strategic project planning.
“It’s essential that rural voices are not only heard, but genuinely integrated into innovation processes. PREPARE is here to ensure that the local perspective is central to FUTURAL’s work.” – Leitrim Gërmizaj
Looking Ahead
The meeting closed with a renewed commitment to rural innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth. PREPARE continues to advocate for co-designed solutions, peer learning, and policy engagement that empower rural communities across Europe.
We extend our sincere thanks to UPB for their excellent hosting and to all partners for the inspiring exchange. Together, we are building the future of rural Europe—one community at a time.
