ENER’Avila

The ENER’Avila event took place from June 19 to 21, 2023, in the territory of the Diputacion of Avila in Spain. A total of 27 participants attended the event, including elected officials, local government agents, socio-economic actors, and research institutions/universities from 7 European countries (Portugal, Cyprus, France, Spain, Greece, Hungary, and Romania). This event was the third event of the LINK-EU project, co-funded by the European Union through the Citizens Equality Rights and Values programme. The event consisted of:

  • Conferences: Participants presented the progress that has taken place in their respective regions and discussed the new challenges they are facing.
  • Field visits: Visits were made to the municipality of Gotarrendura, showcasing its photovoltaic initiatives, the municipality of Las Navas del Marques, illustrating policies in support of the circular economy and the importance of biomass, the production of local beer in El Barraco, and the municipality of El Hoyo de Pinares, supporting citizen participation to re-build after forest fires.
  • Workshops: Building on the previous LINK-EU events, workshops focused on developing a roadmap for a resilient European rural area. Additionally, discussions revolved around the future of the RURENER network and how to translate the ambitions and needs of rural communities into policy recommendations.
Opening of the event – City hall of Avila
Visit of Gotarrendura
Natural AC system
Autonomous water pumping station powered by solar PV
Workshop
Pine forest
El Hoyo de Pinares
Visit of Huevos Redondos: an example of circular economy
Workshop
ENER’Avila – June 23

The third event of the LINK-EU project aimed at formulating policy recommendations to better support rural development. Spaces for dialogue between the E.U. and rural communities have been identified and the role of RURENER, as European network of rural communities was clarified to have a stronger voice at E.U. level. 5 key priorities were formulated:

  • Bringing life back to rural communities
  • Supporting systemic approaches rather than sectoral projects
  • Empowering rural stakeholders so that they can be drivers of change
  • Making E.U. funds and policies better adapted to rural communities’ needs and potential
  • Showing-off what rural communities already do to mainstream good practices

These priorities will be specified during dedicated workshops in the months following the project, before the final event of the project in 2024.