First policy workshop - structuring the challenges

First workshop in the RURBANIVE policy series - the step from broad analysis to a structured, policy-oriented understanding of the challenges shaping rural-urban linkages. Organised by AEIDL, held online.

Keynote by Lewis Dijkstra (Joint Research Centre) on functional areas: understanding territories through flows of people, goods, services and knowledge rather than administrative borders.

Two parallel breakout sessions worked through the six thematic domains, with place-based input from the co-creation labs: logistics and short value chains (Prague-Suchdol), user engagement and territorial awareness (Kedainiai), enhanced mobility (Trikala and Lemgo), ecosystem and biodiversity restoration (Milos), circular bioeconomy (Lower Austria and Vienna), and culture, landscape and heritage (Valles Pasiegos). Rapporteurs Mariem Chakroun (ENoLL) and Natasa Bozic (University of Ljubljana) reported the priority challenges to plenary.

The challenges identified now live in the domain debates of the Policy Forum - open them to confirm and refine them for your territory. The next policy workshop takes place in December 2026. The full report is in the Policy Library.