Peer-to-peer exchange at Diputación Zamora

September 2024

In Zamora, participants of the peer-to-peer exchange explored how rural communities can use innovation and technology to meet local challenges. Over two days, nearly 30 representatives from RURACTIVE Dynamos and technical partners gained first-hand insights into a variety of projects that address the unique needs of the region.

The exchange highlighted solutions ranging from telemedicine and home-based elderly monitoring over stroke-prevention programmes to local agri-food initiatives. By observing these projects in action and discussing their design and impact, participants were able to understand how technology, community engagement and creativity can combine to enhance quality of life, support sustainable development and inspire similar initiatives in other rural contexts.

Local stakeholders involved in the peer-to-peer exchange

A broad coalition of stakeholders participated in or supported these site visits:

1. Municipal authorities of Bermillo de Sayago and San Cebrián de Castro, where the solutions are being implemented, provided logistical support and local insights.
2. The Private Health Service Providers Recoletas Hospital and i4life company supported the technical, technological and health / wellbeing expertise when implementing digital health solutions. During the visits, both companies provided a front-line perspective on addressing beneficiaries needs, the sustainability of the solutions, and the transfer of them to other territories.
3. Older people from the community and their caregivers who were involved in the projects offered real-life testimonials on the effectiveness and convenience of home-monitoring systems and telemedicine.
4. The founder of Agroberry (also a member of the RURACTIVE Local Task Force) served as role model of launching a rural startup with success, highlighting the crucial blend of passion, innovation and market-oriented thinking needed to succeed in smaller communities.
5. Crisol Labyrinth’s Sculptor (also member of the RURACTIVE Local Task Force) demonstrated how art and cultural heritage can become engines for rural regeneration and tourism.

Further reading