Within the ROAD project ERCA and Kodukant assisted by Polish, Finnish and Kosovar rural development organisations organised or participated in 5 events involving 388 participants from 23 countries. The main event was arraged in Estonia by Kodukant in Räpinä July 2019. 

Event in Räpinä   

Communities and volunteering Peja

Different private or public support systems for communities and rural citizens and analysed through case-studies eg. on community consultants, village ombudsmen and/or village elders activities. The social and economic impact of voluntary contribution by rural citizen’s was also discussed and analysed. The impact is big but not enough recognized in value or in politics.

The activities of the ROAD project provided the basis for policy suggestions at national and European level.  The process was concluded in the 4th European Rural Parliament in Asturias beginning of November 2019. At the Gathering many workshops were related to rural communities. Find below enablers, barriers, cases and policy suggestions on communities´ development discussed at the Gathering.

Workshop report 1   Workshop report 2

Two more specific issues were also tackled. Firstly, it is important increase understanding of EU and to better connect EU with its rural citizens. Secondly, climate change is evident. One solution is to develop energy efficient communities.

The EU-Rural citizens relations   

Workshop report on EU-citizen´s relations

Workshop report on energy efficient communities