The NRN recently participated in the 18th edition of Interreg Europe’s ‘European Week of Regions and Cities’ held via Zoom from 12th-15th October 2020. A number of sessions that were part of the event such as ‘Smart Rural Areas in the 21st Century’ and ‘Global crises – Local responses’ focussed on the ever-increasing importance of community-led ‘smart’ initiatives to overcome challenges brought about by the global COVID-19 crises. These sessions highlighted such initiatives supported by local communities and ranged from innovative economic/business support, through e-services (e.g. in education and health) to environmentally friendly eco-villages.
Dr Maura Farrell, Lecturer in the Discipline of Geography at NUI Galway and Lead Researcher with the NRN also presented in the ‘Long Term Vision for rural areas – key political messages’ session at this event. More information about this event can be found here: https://www.interregeurope.eu/euregionsweek/
Source: NRN
