• Objective 1

    amplify the voice of rural areas to bring them higher on the political agenda

  • Objective 2

    structure and enable collaboration and mutual learning between Pact members
Description

The Rural Entrepreneurship Forum (FER 2024), organized by the Roberto Rivas Foundation, made Galicia the epicenter of innovative rural entrepreneurship in Spain. Held on 12 and 13 December 2024 in Allariz (Ourense), the forum brought together entrepreneurs, public and private entities, and national and international experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in rural areas.

Presentations, discussion tables, workshops, a fair for entrepreneurs and networking activities were developed, promoting innovation, sustainability and strengthening the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem. The event had 180 face-to-face attendees, more than 600 streaming participants and 34 speakers, highlighting a gender approach with more than 50% female participation among speakers and entrepreneurs.
15,000 euros in prizes were awarded to innovative rural projects and the National Ecosystem of Support for Rural Entrepreneurship was presented.

Commitment's information

Themes
  • Connected rural areas
  • Employment
  • Demography
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Bioeconomy & circular economy
  • Women
  • Youth
  • Stronger Rural Areas
  • Tourism and heritage
  • Social inclusion
  • Social economy
  • Smart and start-up villages
  • Rural-urban linkages
  • Prosperous rural areas
  • Research and innovation
  • Governance
  • Digital
  • Education and training
  • Migrants
  • Climate
  • Democracy and participation
  • Infrastructure
  • Housing
  • Resilient rural areas
  • Nature and environment
  • Access to services
    • Stakeholder beneficiary(ies)
    • Citizen
    • EU Institution
    • Local Action Group
    • National Rural Network
    • Non-governmental / civil society organisation
    Activities
    • Communication and/or Advocacy
    • Knowledge sharing
    • Rural development strategy
    • Networking activities
    • Events
    • Research or/& evaluation
    • Capacity Building
    Expected Outcomes

    The Forum was coordinated by the Roberto Rivas Foundation, which mobilized a 33-person technical team and worked with over 10 public and private entities. Activities ran from May 2024 to February 2025, covering design, communication, implementation and evaluation. 

    During the two-day event, there were round tables, digitalization and financing workshops, networking sessions, an entrepreneurs’ fair with 10+ stands featuring local businesses, and guided visits to rural initiatives. Success stories from Galicia and other regions were shared, and cooperation with European actors was strengthened through the European Rural Pact. 

    The Forum emphasized environmental sustainability (recyclable materials, reduced travel, shared transport, waste minimization) and universal accessibility (simultaneous translation, sign language, adapted access). A communication plan highlighted the vitality of the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem, and feedback was collected across all activities.

     

    Main results

    Number of people

    1500

    Number of projects

    30

    Number of jobs

    5

    Final results
    • 180 presential participants from different regions and nationalities and more than 600 in streaming.
    • 34 national and international speakers (53% women).
    • 10 rural enterprises presented at the fair.
    • 15,000 euros in prizes divided into five categories.
    • More than 50% of speakers and award winners are women.
    • Wide coverage in regional and national media, with more than 1,400 online views during the event.
    • High institutional representation with the presence of Xunta de Galicia, Diputación de Ourense, EOI, OECD, ENISA, among others.

    • Creation and launch of the National Ecosystem to Support Rural Entrepreneurship.


      For future editions, areas of improvement are identified such as:

    • Incorporate systematic impact measurements in the participating territories.
    • Measure the carbon footprint of the event in a standardized way.
    • Expand the spaces and dynamics of open participation during the forum.

    Organisation/Company information

    Fundación Roberto Rivas

    Non-governmental / civil society organisation
    • 1-10
    • National
    TOPICS OF INTEREST
    Connected rural areas, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Bioeconomy & circular economy, Democracy and participation, Governance, Housing, Buildings, Education and training, Climate
    Status
    Completed
    Funding
    Commitment's fund
    EU funds, National funding, Regional funding, Local funding, Private funding
    EU Fund
    Other EU Fund
    Next Generation
    Budget
    Estimated budget
    EUR 195 000.00
    Planned additional investment
    Recursos Humanos, tecnológicos
    Further details
    Scope of action
    National
    Beneficiary country
    Spain
    Type of territories
    Rural area, Remote rural area, Urban area, Inland area, Mountainous area, Outermost region