RurALL project: Revitalizing Rural Communities by repurposing older buildings through New European Bauhaus

Depopulation of rural areas is one of the most universal challenges in the Danube macro-region. To address the challenge REDASP has joined the consortium that developed RurALL project, which tackles the challenge of rural depopulation by exploiting the potential of older buildings and applying the New European Bauhaus approach.

The main ambition of the RurALL partnership is to develop a governance model on addressing depopulation in rural areas by improving planning, management, decision-making and collaborative capacities of rural communities in exploiting the potential of deteriorating buildings. By transforming older buildings into functional and attractive spaces, we hope to inspire a sense of pride and belonging among residents and attract new people to the rural communities.  

The project is inspired by the New European Bauhaus and will bring together a critical mass of international experts, policymakers and citizens, intense knowledge exchange and generation, pooling of ideas and resources, uptake of good practises and innovative solutions. Rural communities will strengthen their governance and institutional capacities.

Project highlights

-          Development of Transnational network of rural communities and experts;

-          Identification and mapping of older buildings;

-          Giving new function to older buildings and developing renovation ideas by implementing community engagement activities;

-          Development of business models for financing the buildings renovation;

-          Multi-level (stakeholder) governance model.

The consortium joins 14 project partners and 7 associated strategic partners from 11 countries. RurALL project was approved under Interreg Danube Programme 2021-2027 first call for proposals. The overall project budget is 2.597.692,50 EUR (Interreg Danube Programme contribution: 2.078.154,00 EUR).

The Regional Economic Development Agency for Šumadija and Pomoravlje will be responsible for implementing project activities in Serbia, Šumadija and Pomoravlje region, and will be supported by Despotovac municipality as a pilot area.