RURAL IMPACT

The Rural Impact project tackles challenges rural youth face, including limited job opportunities and VET access, increasing NEET risks. It introduces online social entrepreneurship modules and local enterprise incubators to equip young learners with skills to create sustainable businesses addressing rural needs. By engaging VET providers, business support agencies, and policymakers, it adapts VET to rural challenges, enhancing employability, entrepreneurial skills, and promoting resilient, youth-led rural economies that drive social inclusion and economic development.

Social Entrepreneurship e-Modules

The project focuses on creating online social entrepreneurship modules tailored for young VET learners in rural areas. It aims to provide essential skills for launching and sustaining social enterprises and addressing geographic barriers to VET participation. It includes developing interactive modules, a learning platform with networking features, and hosting virtual workshops and networking events. These activities enhance access to quality VET, promote entrepreneurship, and empower learners to overcome challenges unique to rural economies.

Up-skilling VET Professionals

Rural Impact WP3 Greenhouse Workers Picture

This programme aims to enhance the competencies of VET professionals to support rurally based learners. It focuses on developing their skills in delivering online social entrepreneurship training and adapting VET programmes to rural contexts. It includes creating a six-module upskilling programme, conducting transnational piloting in Portugal, and offering national piloting activities. These efforts equip educators to better engage and support rural learners while fostering cross-cultural collaboration.

Rural Impact Incubators

This part focuses on establishing local social enterprise incubators to support rurally based young VET learners in developing entrepreneurial skills and launching social enterprises. It engages business support agencies and existing incubators, creating collaborative networks. It includes promotional activities, guidelines for incubators, and hosting Rural Impact Networking Events to foster connections. These initiatives address rural challenges, empower youth entrepreneurship, and enhance business development opportunities.

OBJECTIVES AND TARGET GROUPS

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The objectives of the RURAL IMPACT project are:

- Improve Access to Quality VET: Develop and provide targeted, high-quality vocational education and training (VET) opportunities for young learners in rural areas, helping them overcome geographic and systemic barriers.
- Facilitate Skill Development: Enhance social entrepreneurship skills among rurally based VET learners to empower them in establishing sustainable social enterprises.
- Establish Social Enterprise Incubators: Create incubators to support young VET learners in transitioning from education to successful entrepreneurship through tailored business development supports.
- Upskill VET Professionals: Enhance the competences of VET professionals by providing training that enables them to adapt their offerings to meet the unique needs of rural learners and economies.

The target groups of the RURAL IMPACT project are:

- Young VET Learners: Aged 18 to 35, living in rural areas. They are supported to develop social entrepreneurship skills and establish sustainable social enterprises.
- VET Professionals: Trainers, tutors, and educators in vocational education institutions. They are upskilled to adapt their programmes for rural contexts and learners.
- Business Support Agencies and Incubators: These stakeholders collaborate to establish and operate social enterprise incubators, enhancing support for rural learners and their entrepreneurial initiatives.

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RURAL IMPACT ONLINE PLATFORM

Explore the World of Rural Social Entrepreneurship

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Explore the Social Entrepreneurship for Rural Youth Entrepreneurs

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Discover the Upskilling Programme for VET Professionals

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NEWS

Read our latest news and activities! Click below to explore our newsletters and discover exciting updates, inspiring stories, and impactful initiatives from our project. Don’t miss out!

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Newsletter 1

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PROJECT PARTNERS

Rural Impact brings together six partners from Latvia (Valmieras Attīstības aģentūra), Ireland (WeLearn Limited), Portugal (E.C.S.H. – Associação), Croatia (Callidus ustanova za obrazovanje odraslih), Romania (Bexley C-Level IT), and Bulgaria (Acta Foundation). Find more about the project partners below.

Valmiera

The Valmiera Development Agency (VDA), the project coordinator, supports regional growth in Latvia by empowering entrepreneurs, young professionals, and educators. It strengthens collaboration between businesses, government, and education, providing consultations, training, and guidance on digitalisation and funding. VDA also manages the Co-Creation Space DARE, enabling innovation and aligning education with labour market needs.

BCLIT

BCLIT provides innovative digital teaching solutions for educational organisations, including schools, high schools, vocational education and training (VET) institutions, universities, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Their services encompass the development of e-learning platforms, educational websites, and the design of curricula and teaching methodologies tailored to diverse learning preferences. They also offer career guidance programmes and support for social entrepreneurs.

ACTA Foundation

The Acta Foundation, a Bulgarian NGO, drives positive change through innovative education, research, and sustainable development. Its mission bridges business and education, promoting lifelong learning and industry-relevant skills. Focused on 21st-century competencies, organisational innovation, and digital technologies, Acta delivers impactful projects for a smarter, more inclusive future.

WeLearn

WeLearn understands the diverse needs of various educational settings. Whether it is an Adult Education Center, a Youth Center, a Vocational Education institution, or a School, WeLearn offers customised solutions to meet their unique requirements. The organisation combines expertise in instructional design, technology integration, and curriculum development to create engaging and effective learning experience.

CALLIDUS

CALLIDUS, an Institute for Adult Education based in Croatia (EU), has been dedicated to excellence in education since its founding in 2009. For over a decade, it has been delivering extensive expertise, practical experience, and the support of a highly skilled team of educators to business clients. CALLIDUS provides valuable, up-to-date knowledge across a wide range of professional fields. Its mission is to develop innovative education programmes and projects that enhance the quality and relevance of learning while strengthening the connection between education and thE labour market.

E.C.S.H.

The School of Social Sciences and Humanities (E.C.S.H.), based in Porto, Portugal, develops educational programmes aimed at reducing inequalities and promoting the social inclusion of young people. It contributes to building a more just, inclusive, and democratic society by providing training that encourages the inclusion of youth. E.C.S.H. focuses on developing qualified and ethical professionals in the fields of Social Sciences and Humanities, promoting critical, analytical, and reflective skills.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

Project number: 2024-1-LV01-KA220-VET-000254680