Europe’s demographic resilience depends on empowering rural communities and ensuring that even the smallest villages remain “alive and full of future,” a headline message from the first International Congress on Depopulation of 23–24 September, Aragón, Spain.

The Rural Impact Hub (RIHU) is not a common incubator, it’s a living ecosystem for rural innovation inspired by the natural flow of a river. Born in the Mirandese Plateau, on Portugal’s northern border with Spain, RIHU springs from the desire to transform rural areas into vibrant, sustainable and inclusive places.

The social economy is a driver of innovation, employment and service provision, but it faces a visibility challenge that requires a shared narrative recognising its full contribution across Europe’s rural and regional territories. This headline message emerged from dedicated social economy conference of 3 October in Gorizia, Italy.