Rural Impact Hub: shaping the future of rural Portugal through social innovation
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.
Image by Rural Move
Just like a river, RIHU begins at its source with awareness and training, where ideas take shape through workshops and bootcamps. Its affluents strengthen the current by connecting entrepreneurs, mentors, and institutions at local, national, and European levels (now over 20 active partners). Finally, at the river mouth, ideas mature into real projects, tested in living laboratories across rural territories. Find out more about the initiative!
RIHU is promoted by Rural Move – Association for the Promotion of Investment in Low-density Territories – and co-funded by Portugal Social Innovation 2030 and social investors. Its ambition is to incubate 30 rural impact projects and engage more than 700 people by 2026 – discover the RIHU action for the EU rural vision.
Beyond supporting entrepreneurs, RIHU aims to build an Iberian and European network for rural social innovation, a movement where communities, organisations, and changemakers flow together to regenerate the future of Europe’s rural regions.
Despite being in one of the most peripheral places in Portugal, we are showing that we are at the centre of social innovation and impact entrepreneurship, building a river of ideas, people, and hope, shaping a new rurality. Come aboard with us!
Author: João Almeida, RIHU Coordinator
| ‘Actions for the rural vision’ are voluntary initiatives that Rural Pact members choose to undertake and share, without obligation or financial support. They showcase how individual efforts contribute to the EU’s long-term vision for rural areas, with every contribution – no matter the size – making a difference. |