Rural Impact

The Rural Impact project addresses the challenges faced by young people in rural areas, where limited job opportunities and inadequate vocational education and training (VET) increase the risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). Recognising these barriers, the project aims to enhance access to quality VET by introducing online social entrepreneurship modules, tailored to rural economies, and establishing local social enterprise incubators. These initiatives empower young rural learners with essential skills to build sustainable businesses that address local needs. By engaging VET providers, business support agencies, and policymakers, Rural Impact promotes collaboration to adapt VET programmes to the unique challenges of rural communities. Expected outcomes include improved employability, enhanced entrepreneurial skills, and the creation of resilient rural economies through youth-led social enterprises. This approach contributes to both economic development and social inclusion.

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 for VET Professionals

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.

Rural Impact events across Europe

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Why do I join?

Rural Impact focuses on adult education and youth work, offering innovative online learning opportunities to promote social entrepreneurship among NEETs, who often face significant systemic barriers to traditional education and increasingly rely heavily on second-chance programmes for personal and professional growth.

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Who can join?

Our project makes VET more inclusive for rural learners, empowering young participants aged 18–35 to create social enterprises addressing community challenges. It supports their transition to the labour market, provides re-skilling opportunities, equips VET professionals to meet rural needs, and connects learners with business support agencies for development.

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Our Erasmus events are carefully prepared to give you sufficient arguments to bring innovation in online education. We organize 3 national focus groups and 3 multiplier events, conferences, seminars and workshops throughout the project. Follow our page to be the first who find out about our events!

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

Find out all the partners which are part of this project!

Rural Impact brings together six partners from Latvia (Valmiera), Romania (ConstantaHUB), Bulgaria (ACTA Foundation), Ireland (WeLearn), Croatia (CALLIDUS) and Portugal (E.C.S.H.). Find more about 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

ConstantaHUB (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