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
Why do I join?
Who can join?
Throughout the project, partners organise webinars, virtual networking events, training activities and Rural Impact Networking Events to engage rural VET learners, VET professionals, social entrepreneurs and business support organisations. Follow our page to be the first who find out about our events!
INCUBATOR GUIDELINES
NEWS
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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
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
WeLearn
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.
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