The RuralSpot platform is an innovative platform developed under the EU-funded project RuralBioUp. It is crucial as RuralBioUp’s online platform and a good resource tool for developing effective Action Plans. RuralSpot is committed to ongoing refinement and enhancement, with input and feedback from stakeholders, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness in promoting rural bioeconomy endeavours. RuralSpot is your one-stop platform for unlocking the potential of rural bioeconomy on biomass, business models, available technologies, soil best practices, practical knowledge, training resources and financial support opportunities. This online Resources Library provides successful biobased projects at regional, national, and European levels . It has all the features needed to get the most out of RuralBioUp’s comprehensive resources. Find the platform here.
Objective of RuralSpot
- Funded by Horizon Europe Programme, RuralBioUp helps to create a brighter and sustainable future for everyone, supporting the transition in rural areas towards a sustainable, just, and fair bioeconomy.
- The RuralSpot platform is an extension of the RuralBioUp project. It aims to empower rural regions by offering valuable information and facilitating connections among stakeholders involved in bioeconomy and rural development. By providing an interactive online space, it seeks to bridge gaps between policymakers, local businesses, researchers, innovators, and other relevant actors. The ultimate goal is to enhance knowledge transfer and collaboration.
- RuralBioUp is empowering EU Rural Regions to scale up and adopt small-scale biobasedsolutions towards a circular bioeconomy. Its mission is to assist 9 European regions of 6 EU countries in identifying and implementing biobased solutions that benefit their local communities directly. We have established 9 Regional Hubs in 6 EU countries, boosting rural development at a local level and seizing rural opportunities. These hubs serve as focal points for identifying and implementing biobased solutions that directly benefit the local communities within the project’s regions: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (France), Centru Region (Romania), Charles Spa (Czechia), Ireland, Latvia, Lombardia (Italy), Marche (Italy), Pays de la Loire & Bretagne (France), and Puglia (Italy).
Key Functionalities of the Platform
- Resource Library and Knowledge Hub: RuralSpot serves as a repository of carefully curated resources, including scientific publications, best practices, policy guidelines, technical reports, and case studies. At the heart of the RuralSpot platform lies the Search Results Page, representing the core functionality. Ruralspot gathers bioeconomy information across six categories: Biomass, Soil, Knowledge, Financial Support, Technologies, and Business Model & Market Applications. Users can choose to explore the resources by filtering within the main categories mentioned before. Or, for a more flexible approach, users can choose to use a free text search. This allows them to input keywords, phrases, or specific terms related to their research interests, enabling a more personalised and targeted search experience.
- Recognising that bioeconomy initiatives often face market-related challenges, RuralSpot includes a section dedicated to market analysis and trends. Users can explore emerging opportunities, business models, and innovative technologies related to the biobased economy. Furthermore, the platform offers information on funding opportunities, grants, and calls for projects, aiding businesses and organisations in securing financial support for their initiatives.
Benefits of Using the RuralSpot Platform
- Enhanced Knowledge Sharing: By aggregating a wide range of resources in one place, RuralSpot eliminates the silos that often exist between different sectors. Stakeholders can access the latest information and research findings, ensuring that knowledge flows seamlessly between academia, industry, and local communities. This helps in the diffusion of innovative ideas and solutions that can be tailored to specific rural contexts.
- Building Stronger Networks: RuralSpot’s networking functionalities allow stakeholders to connect with each other, fostering an ecosystem of collaboration and mutual learning.
- Encouraging Sustainable Rural Development: by focusing on bioeconomy initiatives, RuralSpot directly contributes to the sustainability and resilience of rural areas. The platform’s emphasis on sustainable practices, innovative technologies, and policy alignment helps rural regions transition towards greener and more circular economies. This not only creates new economic opportunities but also supports environmental preservation and social cohesion.
- Showcasing Successful Practices: The success stories featured on RuralSpot serve as practical examples of how different communities have successfully implemented bioeconomy projects. These examples provide real-world insights and lessons learned, which can be invaluable for those planning new initiatives.
- Supporting Policy Implementation and Compliance: Policymakers and local administrators can use RuralSpot as a resource for staying updated on EU strategies and policy guidelines related to rural bioeconomy. This helps in ensuring that regional projects are in line with EU priorities, facilitating smoother policy implementation and compliance.
