OPEN CALL FOR INNOVATORS

While rural agri-food systems and natural ecosystems are of primary importance for food production and ecosystem services, rural areas are still facing challenges in achieving sustainable agri-food transformations. Introducing nature-based and digital solutions for the whole food supply chain (including food production, processing, distribution, consumption and resource re-cycling), as well as for agroecological practices that contribute to sustainable ecosystem management, is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health and contribute to social wellbeing of all rural communities. Sustainable agri-food systems support building resilient communities by providing job opportunities and adequate livelihoods for all while supporting synergies with other Rural Development Drivers, such as nature-based and cultural tourism.

With an increasing interest in rural and proximity tourism raised during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, rural areas remain particularly suitable for nature-based and cultural tourism, responding to the willingness of travelers to learn about and experience the rural context. Nevertheless, rural communities still struggle to manage tourism in a sustainable and smart way and to align decision-making with local communities' needs and tourists' desires and expectations. These challenges can be tackled through the implementation of innovative solutions by provisioning services based on local resources that can be valued and organised to enhance tourism services.

While culture is recognised to be a fundamental dimension of sustainable development both in urban and non-urban areas, rural areas are still far from being seen as cultural hubs and centers for creativity. Both tangible heritage and intangible heritage, represented by arts, festivals, music, artisan and crafts, dance and local traditions, are crucial assets for sustainable and inclusive innovation. The use of digital, technological and social innovations can make culture accessible to a wide range of groups including young people, women, migrants, old people, and people with disabilities, and improve the quality of life for all in rural areas.

Although sustainable transport services are key for the connection and wellbeing of rural inhabitants and for decarbonization goals, sustainable rural mobility has so far received less attention than urban mobility. Planning and provisioning of mobility services, such as demand‐responsive transport and shared mobility, with the involvement of local stakeholders is key to answering site-specific challenges of rural areas and granting mobility solutions for all rural inhabitants.

While attention has been put on climate neutral strategies in cities, rural areas are often neglected by climate action despite playing a crucial role in the green transition, including through the generation of renewable energy and facilitation or management of principal carbon sinks, such as soil and peat carbon or woodland expansion. In the rural context, the energy transition is supported through the development of community-led solutions, including the creation of sustainable energy communities of prosumers, protection of carbon sinks by investing in Nature-Based Solutions, development of farm biogas/biofuel, efficient renewable energy use through forecasting services, extending the uptake of smart grids and smart meters to empower prosumers, promoting behavioral awareness and change.

A prosumer is considered a person who consumes and produces value, either for self-consumption or consumption by others.

Lack of access to basic services such as housing, healthcare, or e-governance in combination with ageing and depopulation, are key issues that inhibit the sustainable development of rural areas. The introduction of innovations such as digital platforms for managing a wide range of services, or solutions for further increasing the provisioning of services, can mitigate barriers to accessing care and improve quality of life and wellbeing of all rural inhabitants.