We are excited to reveal the winners of the PoliRuralPlus Mobilise Call, a dynamic initiative designed to foster innovation, collaboration, and technology-driven solutions across rural-urban regions in Europe. These selected projects embody the mission of PoliRuralPlus: building a sustainable, balanced, and inclusive future through cutting-edge tools, participatory processes, and strong territorial cohesion.

From AI-powered ideathons to smart agritourism challenges, each winning proposal will activate new local synergies and test innovative concepts that align with regional needs and the long-term vision for rural-urban integration.

Meet the Mobilise Call winners

AI4RURAL Ideathon

Region: Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
Lead Entity: ITECAM
The AI4RURAL Ideathon will bring together entrepreneurs, SMEs, digital experts, and local stakeholders in Segóbriga and Mancha Conquense. Focusing on rural tourism, smart forest management, and cultural heritage digitalization, the event aims to co-create AI-based solutions using PoliRuralPlus tools like the GeoAI chatbot, Map Whiteboard, and the Rural Attractiveness Explorer. A dedicated demo area will highlight successful AI use cases in the region.

DIPS – Digital innovation for Šumava and Pošumaví

Region: Czechia – Bavarian Border
Lead Entity: Úhlava, o.p.s.
DIPS targets the rural-urban dynamics of the Šumava and Bavarian Forest region, launching innovation events such as hackathon and idea workshops to tackle challenges in agriculture, smart tourism, local food systems, and regional planning.

D2D – From data to decisions

Region: Vidzeme, Latvia
Lead Entity: NovoFutura
This project tackles fragmented data use in regional planning by piloting a two-phase hackathon to co-create a low-level prototype framework for better data-driven development strategies. It supports the creation of a transferable model for evidence-based regional development.

INCO – Intelligent consumption

Region: Apulia, Italy
Lead Entity: Virgolettere di Rocco Devito
INCO aims to foster sustainable consumption by forming rural-urban purchasing communities. It promotes short food supply chains, ethical and seasonal eating, and improved urban awareness of rural producers, leveraging AI for engagement and impact tracking.

MaYA Agri-Tech ideathon (M-ATI)

Region: Malta
Lead Entity: Malta Youth in Agriculture Foundation
This AI-driven ideathon will co-develop solutions for pressing agricultural issues such as land access, market connectivity, and climate resilience. The initiative includes extensive pre-event stakeholder engagement and robust post-event follow-up to ensure long-term impact.

Go Mallusjoki! – AI for rural event ecosystems

Region: Mallusjoki, Finland
Lead Entity: Avoin Ry
A place-based ideathon in the Mallusjoki rural district, this project focuses on community branding and cultural tourism. Using PoliRuralPlus tools, participants will co-create an AI-enhanced rural event ecosystem and develop a Green Culture Centre, boosting rural-urban collaboration through creativity and technology.

RURBAN Challenge – smart rural-rrban agritourism

Region: Central Greece
Lead Entity: Open Farm P.C.
A two-day hackathon in Chalkida brings together students, farmers, tech experts, and tourism professionals to address challenges in agritourism through AI and digital innovation. The event features hybrid participation and deep engagement with educational institutions.

Why It matters?

Each selected project exemplifies the goals of the PoliRuralPlus Mobilise call, empowering rural-urban communities, embracing digital transformation, and promoting sustainability through open collaboration and tailored innovation. The outcomes will not only benefit the participating regions but serve as replicable models across Europe.

Stay tuned for updates and success stories as these initiatives unfold!