The main topic of the webinar was to explore the specific housing challenges faced by rural areas. At this event, the speakers presented their experiences and were divided into the following thematic areas, after the introductory part: EU initiatives to support rural housing, challenges and opportunities; Developing integrated rural housing strategies; Learning from inspirational projects and practices.
After the presentations, the participants of the webinar were divided into three thematic groups. Group 1: Housing renovation and revitalisation through sustainable solutions. Group 2: Improving rural housing availability and attractiveness through community platforms. Group 3: Community-led solutions for inclusive rural housing. Participants discussed within their groups and exchanged experiences and described current practices, as well as the effects they have in the countries they come from.
After the group, there was a joint discussion between the group representatives. This webinar showcased inspiring community-led policies, strategies, initiatives, and projects that improve accessibility, attract new residents, and promote renovation efforts that contribute to the green transition in rural areas.
Over 140 participants from 24 EU Member States and 5 non-EU countries were present.
In front of the project team, the event was attended and actively participated by Assoc.Prof. Diona Đurđević, who presented the project, the main results of the field research and pointed out the attitudes of young people from rural areas of the Republic of Serbia.
The webinar was successfully implemented, summarizing and highlighting the main findings: rural housing is shaped by many and related challenges such as demographic changes, financial barriers, spatial inequalities, rapid economic changes and the need for energy transition and industrial transformation, therefore rural housing solutions must therefore be designed to take into account other socio-economic factors; Housing problems and issues vary as some rural areas experience high job vacancy rates and an ageing population, and others face housing shortages due to tourist demand, therefore addressing these disparities requires multi-level strategies that reflect local needs and conditions; Changing the narrative of rural areas is essential to recognize them as spaces for innovation and opportunity, not for decay.
Presentations and videos, as well as more about this event, can be viewed at:
https://ruralpact.rural-vision.europa.eu/events/good-practice-webinar-rural-housing_en
The Agenda can be viewed at:
Attendance list:
Housing-webinar-participants-list_250220
Picture 1. Opening the webinar
Picture 2. Haude Blanc, European Commission, DG AGRI
Picture 3. Matthew Baldwin, Head of the Housing Taskforce, DG ENER
Picture 4. Assoc.Prof. Diona Đurđević, member of the project team, points out the basic information about the project
Picture 5. Assoc.Prof. Diona Đurđević, member of the project team, talks about the project EDUCIRC2022
Picture 6. Closing of the event
