Meet the 6 inspiring sub-projects that have been selected through the RURBANIVE Open Call! Each of these innovative sub-projects will develop a solution for the rural-urban areas, accelerate the expansion of the RURBANIVE innovation ecosystem, and ensure adequate motivation of the stakeholders from the rural-urban communities.

RS4.0

RURBAN SERVICES 4.0 – AI-powered Marketplace for Rural Areas Service Mobility Enhancement

RURBAN SERVICES 4.0 aims to enhance service availability in rural areas by means of a digital marketplace leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to connect rurban-based (rural and urban) service providers with underserved rural communities. RS4.0 builds upon an existing digital marketplace, ServiciosRurales by dM Rural, which currently supports over 1,387 providers across 56 municipalities. This initiative will expand the adoption of ServiciosRurales to new rural-urban areas in the region of Badajoz, and evolve its features to an enhanced version RURBAN SERVICES 4.0 by integrating new AI-driven tools enabling to:
• Identify and attract service providers interested in rural market expansion.
• Personalized recommendations to rurban businesses on rural service demands.
• Optimize service provider visibility and connectivity.
RS4.0 is aligned with the “Improving logistics and shortening value chains” domain of RURBANIVE, fostering rural economic dynamism and inclusivity.

Partners: dMillennial Rural Projects SL, Cámara Oficial de Comercio, Industria y Servicios de Badajoz

Domain: Improving logistics and shortening value chains

 

OBEREK

Open Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration through Environment Monitoring and Knowledge Integration

OBEREK aims to aid in biodiversity restoration in the protected area of the Albufera, crucial to the Valencian rural-urban ecosystem, culture, and economy. The delicate ecosystem was severely damaged in 2024 floods, introducing toxic pollutants. To restore it more effectively, OBEREK proposes a digital RUE for real-time monitoring of key ecological indicators, synthesizing data from multiple sources, while empowering the community through new collaboration mechanisms along the quad helix. Dynamic knowledge graphs will deliver timely “big picture” insights, while maintaining full explainability. An easy-to-use dashboard and open FAIR APIs will allow the citizens, businesses, and academia to track the restoration and reuse the data. Feedback mechanisms will empower citizens, increase social participation in the restoration and build awareness. The OBEREK RUE is designed to be easily replicated across the EU, creating long-lasting positive impact on the environment, economy, and society.

Partners: NeverBlink, UPV, ASSUT

Domain: Ecosystem and biodiversity restoration

 

AGRO.Build.ER

Developing a circular AGRO-waste value chain for sustainable BUILDing sector and rural-urban synergies in Emilia-Romagna (Italy)

Agricultural production is key to the European circular bioeconomy, yet farmers remain underrepresented in bio-based value chains, with limited economic benefits from waste valorisation. The AGRO.Build.ER project tackles this gap by developing fair, sustainable business models that integrate agro-waste into high-performance bio-based building materials, creating new economic opportunities for rural producers in Emilia Romagna and strengthening rural-urban synergies and regional circular bioeconomy development.

The project will demonstrate the feasibility and market potential of these materials while implementing a Digital Material Passport (DMP) for enhancing supply chain transparency. Validation in Emilia-Romagna will ensure scalability and replication across Europe. Expected outcomes include 3 validated bio-based components, an operational DMP, policy recommendations to support bio-based material adoption, and a business model to ensure long-term market adoption.

Partners: CENTRO DI RICERCHE EUROPEO DI TECNOLOGIE DESIGN E MATERIALI – CETMA, LEVERY SRL Società Benefit, Agrifood Clust-ER

Domain: Regional circular bioeconomy development

 

RECIPE

Rural Empowerment & Culinary Innovations via a Participatory Ecosystem

Traditional rural knowledge is being lost due to depopulation, generational renewal and the absence of adequate adoption of digital channels for preservation and dissemination. Rural communities lack spaces and inclusive tools to share their wisdom, leading to a disconnect with urban areas, despite their growing interest in traditions.

RECIPE tackles this challenge by empowering rural communities braking intergenerational barriers fostering stronger connections with urban communities. For this purpose, RECIPE focuses on preserving and revitalizing traditional culinary culture and traditions. An innovative RUE enables a participatory ecosystem where rural communities share a living digital repository of traditional recipes and techniques with new generations through an immersive digital -web platform enhanced by Extended Reality (XR).

RECIPE preserves heritage, fostering rural-urban connections, contributing to social and cultural empowerment and long-term preservation across generations.

Partners: IDEA FOOD CENTER, INTRAS, ESI

Domain: User engagement, empowerment, society and territorial awareness

 

TRAIL

Lycian Odyssey: AI-Enhanced Smart Trekking for Sustainable and Personalized Exploration

Lycian Odyssey mobil app is an AI-driven digital Rural-Urban Enabler (RUE) designed to optimize trekking experiences along the Lycian Way.
Our solution integrates advanced route optimization (using K-Means and Genetic Algorithms) with dynamic, culturally enriched storytelling, delivering personalized, real-time navigation for urban tourists and trekking enthusiasts. By consolidating diverse data sources and promoting sustainable tourism, the app stimulates rural economic growth and deepens cultural engagement. Led by Atam Technology, our consortium will advance the app from TRL 5 to TRL 8 within 12 months, ensuring a market-ready, scalable solution that bridges rural-urban synergies and supports sustainable development.

Partners: Atam Robotic and Software Technology ltd, ARTEMİS OUTDOORSEYAHAT VE TURİZM TİCARET LİMİTED ŞİRKETİ, ANTALYA SKAL KULUBU DERNEGI – Skal Antalya

Domain: Culture, landscape and heritage access and promotion

 

RuralRide

RuralRide: Digital Carpooling Network for Rural Areas

RuralRide is a carpooling platform designed and validated by the local municipality to improve transportation access for people in rural areas of Smolyan, Bulgaria. Many rural communities face challenges reaching urban centers for work, education, tourism, or medical appointments due to limited public transportation and long distances. RuralRide addresses this by connecting individuals traveling on similar routes and schedules, allowing them to share rides and reduce the costs and stress of long commutes. The platform’s digital approach makes it easy for rural residents to find others heading the same way, whether for work or appointments. This solution not only makes daily travel more efficient, but also strengthens community ties and promotes resource-sharing. By offering cost-effective, sustainable travel options, RuralRide empowers rural communities to take control of their mobility, reduce transportation costs, and minimize their carbon footprint, fostering stronger, more connected, and resilient communities.

Partners: Next-Tech Association, Municipality of Smolyan, Bulgarian ITS Association

Domain: Enhanced mobility