Thread by @ruralinterfaces

🚨 Today is the day!⚡️ARE YOU READY?

At 14.00 (CET) 🕑 we’ll kick start our final #SHERPAconference in Brussels at @EU_CoR!

If you couldn't make it and want to know what our speakers are saying, join us with the hashtag #SHERPAconference.

SEE YOU IN A FEW MINUTES! 👋

🔴HAPPENING NOW🔴

DM of #RegionalDevelopment @EU_CoR member @radim_srsen, Mayor of Dolní Studénky 🇨🇿 welcomes the #SHERPAconference attendees. He highlights the added value of projects like #SHERPA to bring together policy, science and society for better rural policies.

Now it's the turn of the coordination team! 😊

📢 Olivier Chartier and Elodie Salle from @Ecorys open the #SHERPAconference presenting general information on the project, its methods, MAPs and, of course, the objectives and results achieved so far.

Our @AEIDL colleague has introduced the Rural Corridor, a dynamic space where MAPs and partner projects such as @HORIZONCODECS @ruralgranular @MOVINGH2020 @GRASSCEILING_EU and more, are showcasing innovative initiatives in different areas: #climatechange, data and #resilience.

Here’s the first session of the day, with @SerafinPazos’ @AEIDL and Olivier Chartier's @Ecorys introduction on SHERPA’s contributions to the #RuralVision #LTVRA

Gerald Schwartz from @Thuenen_aktuell discusses the 4⃣ actions of the #RuralVision, focusing on the "prosperous #ruralareas" pillar:

🗣️ "A lot of interest is in cooperation of #valuechains, but quite often we came to the point we need local infrastructure that’s not there".

Starting now a panel discussion on the most important #SHERPA recommendations on future EU #rural policies with

🔸 #SHERPAMAPs
🔸 Katherine Irvine from @HuttonSEGS
🔸 Prof. Ricardo Reis @R2Rsquared
🔸 Prof. Csaba Bálint (MAP AKIS)
🔸 @alex_rouby from @EUAgri

📢 Prof. Ricardo Reis @R2Rsquared discusses the importance of #cooperation, collaboration of public, private and third sector: "We don’t need to reinvent the wheel 🛞 let’s go back 150 years and we’ll find cooperatives".

💰 Investing in youth is crucial as they "bring #innovation, new ideas & promote economic growth in #rural areas" says Prof. @csaba Bálint @AKI_Hungary.

"#Youth entrepreneurship is a long-term investment in the sustainability of rural economies because of the continuous influx".

🌬️ "Social economy in #rural areas can foster transformative change necessary to address the multiple challenges that people and planet face such as climate change", explains Katherine Irvine @HuttonSEGS

#SHERPAconference

🔝 @alex_rouby @EUAgri stresses the importance of social economy in addressing the decline of public services in #rural areas and prioritising the wellbeing of society. She also notes the need for hybrid services and for that "we must reflect on how to use #digitalisation".

And before our coffee break ☕, as #SHERPA is all about participation, attendees are now invited to vote on key recommendations and also to discuss the results. #SHERPAconference

During the ☕️ break, participants had the chance to explore the #Rural Corridor & discover the different innovative initiatives in areas such as #climate change, data & #resilience.

@MOVINGH2020 @ruralgranular @AURORAL_H2020 @GRASSCEILING_EU @HORIZONCODECS @OPER8_EU

🔛 #SHERPAconference | We are back for more!

@GiuliaMartino17 @Ecorys presents more #SHERPA key recommendations for the #LTVRA ➡️ Provide financial, technical & moral support for community-led # innovation & create safe spaces for co-creating solutions.

With @thomashenryjon1 from ERCA, Mihaela Mihaylova (MAP Sofia), MAP member Lorna Dawson @Soilfit and @alex_roub from @EUAgri, #SHERPAconference debates the most important SHERPA recommendations 👍

Lorna Dawson @Soilfit stresses the importance of #diversity as a way to face the threats posed by #climate change.

🗣️ "The decisions we make must be evidence-based to do the right thing for the right community in the right place also listening to the community"

Mihaela Mihaylova (MAP Sofia) notes the need 🎯 to set up a rural #digitalisation platform focused on the #youth as they are drivers of transformation:

🗣️ "The young population have abandoned rural areas and we need to bring them back to foster #innovation".

💪 "Small communities can be strong when they come together", highlights @thomashenryjon1 from ERCA. "#Empowerment is an important word, as well as capacity, the ability to participate, gather views".

🚀Get ready for dynamic discussions and collaborative action planning!

Participants are buzzing with excitement as they are splitted into group to discuss actions and recommendations for #rural areas.

A thought-provoking discussion on participation and empowerment taking place now with wide participation from panellists and the audience.

#SHERPAconference

⌛️ And we are approaching the end of our first day of the final #SHERPAConference!

Stay tuned, tomorrow, for more instigating discussions on Science-Society-Policy interfaces and more recommendations on rural policy!

⏰ We’ll be back tomorrow at 9.30AM. See you all! 👏